Can non-Catholics go to confession?

[gk59]

I am new to this forum, and would be considered an official inquirer. I’m speaking with those in my local parish about RCIA. In the mean time, I have so much weighing on my heart that I want to let go. Some stuff I wouldn’t even tell my dog.

About a week ago I had a meeting with a local priest, and as a part of that discussion I was able to “spill my guts” to him about a few things. A big burden was lifted from me, although he didn’t respond much to what I said.

I really want to go to confession. Is that possible? If someone can point me to an official church response on this I’d appreciate it. Personal experiences are also appreciated.

gus

 

[JustaServant]

I beleive they can.
I would go to the ‘ask and apologist’ section of the forum.

 

[TrueLight]

When I was receiving instruction, I really wanted to go to confession too, but my priest did not let me go until I was close to receiving first communion.

What he did tell me is that I could make an act of contrition and ask God for his forgiveness, until I could go to confession. . God is merciful and just.

 

[achmafooma]

You can certainly meet with a Priest and discuss things, but an actual Sacramental Confession usually isn’t permitted until one is nearing the end of preparartion for Confirmation in the RCIA program.

TrueLight’s advice is right-on. I know it can be frustrating to have to wait, but it will be worth it.

God bless you, and welcome home!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I am new to this forum, and would be considered an official inquirer. I’m speaking with those in my local parish about RCIA. In the mean time, I have so much weighing on my heart that I want to let go. Some stuff I wouldn’t even tell my dog.

You don’t say whether you are already baptized or not.

If you are not baptized, your baptism will remove all your sins. Look forward to the Easter Vigil with joy knowing that you will be a new creation in Christ. On a purely practical level, baptism opens the door to the other sacraments and you can look forward to confession after your baptism.

If you are baptized then confession will be part of the preparation for your entry into the Church. Confession normally comes in close proximity to confirmation and first communion after you have been prepared to receive the sacrament.

As an inquirer, you currently have no real affiliation with the Church. After your rite of welcoming you could talk with your pastor about going to confession earlier than would be normal. He may or may not allow it.

 

[Labarum]

A non-Catholic can go to confession but cannot receive absolution.

If a non-Catholic goes to confession they need to state beforehand that they are not Catholic.

 

[TrueLight]

A non-Catholic can go to confession but cannot receive absolution.

.

Then what would be the point?

From the catechism:
1249 Catechumens "are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity."48 "With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own."49

My priest had told me technically I could (I’m not sure if it is because he knew I was almost ready), but he would prefer that I didn’t.

 

[DasErlibnis]

I know many non-Catholics who have been to confession after great prayer…and received absolution. As a result, some of them are now in RCIA. They said it was the greatest thing they ever did and that they had no idea it would be so amazing! I wish more Catholics felt the same.

A priest does not withhold forgiveness from any man for a sin committ-ed. Period. There is no debate, there is no discussion.

Now, regarding a sin in progress, eg. Living I’m a sexual relationship outside of marriage, concealing facts of a murder case… well, you have to make it right first, and then go to confession to receive absolution for what is done.

But at the end of the day, it is job as Catholics to bring others into Communion. Reconciliation is a step toward that Communion.

 

[TrueLight]

I found this:
Canon 844:

§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.

So, speak to your priest.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I am new to this forum, and would be considered an official inquirer. I’m speaking with those in my local parish about RCIA. In the mean time, I have so much weighing on my heart that I want to let go. Some stuff I wouldn’t even tell my dog.

About a week ago I had a meeting with a local priest, and as a part of that discussion I was able to “spill my guts” to him about a few things. A big burden was lifted from me, although he didn’t respond much to what I said.

I really want to go to confession. Is that possible? If someone can point me to an official church response on this I’d appreciate it. Personal experiences are also appreciated.

gus

I think you need to be baptized first.
By the way, your dog knows you better than you know.
And do not be ashamed: here in the crowd you will find an example for all the things you are ashamed of.
You did not invent any sin, do not worry…

 

[Labarum]

Then what would be the point?

From the catechism:
1249 Catechumens "are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity."48 "With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own."49

My priest had told me technically I could (I’m not sure if it is because he knew I was almost ready), but he would prefer that I didn’t.

You cannot receive absolution unless under extreme circumstances (see below in bold). As to the reasons why I am not 100% sure but confessing has many benefits and they would receive some grace from it but not absolution.

Canon 844, sec. 4 says: “If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed.”

 

[pismopal]

I am new to this forum, and would be considered an official inquirer. I’m speaking with those in my local parish about RCIA. In the mean time, I have so much weighing on my heart that I want to let go. Some stuff I wouldn’t even tell my dog.

About a week ago I had a meeting with a local priest, and as a part of that discussion I was able to “spill my guts” to him about a few things. A big burden was lifted from me, although he didn’t respond much to what I said.

I really want to go to confession. Is that possible? If someone can point me to an official church response on this I’d appreciate it. Personal experiences are also appreciated.

gus

I think your desire to go to “confession”…The Sacrament of Reconciliation…is commendable and understandable but… Why don’t you attend RCIA and get your ducks all lined up and THEN do it? It will mean more to you as a new Catholic and for reasons that there is no need to articulate. Like everything important…do it in logical steps. MHO

 

[Arizona_Samson]

I am new to this forum, and would be considered an official inquirer. I’m speaking with those in my local parish about RCIA. In the mean time, I have so much weighing on my heart that I want to let go. Some stuff I wouldn’t even tell my dog.

About a week ago I had a meeting with a local priest, and as a part of that discussion I was able to “spill my guts” to him about a few things. A big burden was lifted from me, although he didn’t respond much to what I said.

I really want to go to confession. Is that possible? If someone can point me to an official church response on this I’d appreciate it. Personal experiences are also appreciated.

gus

Hi Gus, welcome to the forums! Since you also asked for personal experiences, I’ll share mine. I’m a non-Catholic, and I attend confession and “spill my guts” daily while on my knees before His throne.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

 

[pismopal]

Hi Gus, welcome to the forums! Since you also asked for personal experiences, I’ll share mine. I’m a non-Catholic, and I attend confession and “spill my guts” daily while on my knees before His throne.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

You, of course, are free to do it your way but who are you “confessing” to? God already knows what you have done…doesn’t He? My own experience has been that it takes a little more determination to discuss my sin with another person…especially when that person is my priest. And my experience has been that I feel as if my burden has been lifted when I articulate my mistakes and then hear the words of absolution. Your mileage may vary…

 

[Labarum]

“Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.” - Matthew 18:18

“If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” - John 20:23

Christ gave to His Apostles the authority to forgive and bind sins. This is passed down through our bishops and priests.

That being said, in addition to going to confession, a contrite heart and a firm resolve to turn away from your sin is also required for your sins to be absolved

 

[pablope]

Hi Gus, welcome to the forums! Since you also asked for personal experiences, I’ll share mine. I’m a non-Catholic, and I attend confession and “spill my guts” daily while on my knees before His throne.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

True…but the verse does not say how to go about confessing one’s sins. You are concluding that you can go directly to God by this verse…and this is what the tradition of who taught you said so…and cannot be traced to the practice of the early Christians.

All it says is if we confess in the manner prescribed, our sins will be forgiven by God. The manner of confession is described somewhere else.

For a clue, you have to go to another part of the Bible…and it started in the OT…from Job 42:

7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams **and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer **and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.

So my question then…did Jesus say something contrary to what God said in this passage? Or did Jesus make it perfect in the NT?

 

[TrueLight]

Canon 844, sec. 4 says: "If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, "

Yeah, but what other grave necessities might there be besides death and who makes that determination? And do priests have authority given by the bishops to make that decision on a case by case basis.

 

[Labarum]

Yeah, but what other grave necessities might there be besides death and who makes that determination? And do priests have authority given by the bishops to make that decision on a case by case basis.

Severe illness would be another grave necessity.

Priests can still hear confessions of a non-Catholic without authority from the bishop so long as there is no absolution given. This doesn’t mean that the non-Catholic doesn’t receive graces for going but it does mean their sin still remains since absolution was not given.

This topic was asked by an apologist back in 2006 on CAF but the link is corrupted.

 

[DasErlibnis]

Yeah, but what other grave necessities might there be besides death and who makes that determination? And do priests have authority given by the bishops to make that decision on a case by case basis.

Grave necessity seems to imply anything that threatens with death, no?

 

[SecretGarden]

When I was discerning to become Catholic, at one point of it, my spiritual director at the time encouraged me to see the priest, it was called an an act of something. It was sort of like going up for a blessing during communion. I forget what it is called: but it enabled me to speak with the priest, get a confessional blessing so to speak. It was an extremely helpful. I wish I remembered what it was called. Maybe some of my fellow readers can help me out and provide a name for it.

That said, if you are having problems, make an appointment with your priest and talk it out. Talking problems out is important inside the Christian faith because it can free you from some burdens. God wants to heal you and part of the way healing is done is by seeking help from your minister. Counselors are also great as well. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you seek help for a problem regardless if it is present or belongs in the past. Healing is a journey.

Down the road if you feel like Catholicism is for you, then the extra graces are available to you through the confessional. Take things step by step and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. If you are meant to speak at confession, it will happen.