Catholic and Anglican Confession

[Rita88]

Okay… first of all what happens in Catholic confession…?

and what do you know/expect Anglican confession to be?

I have my own for the latter but not so sure about what Catholic confession!

Thanks for your thoughts,

Peace, tata x

 

[GKC]

Okay… first of all what happens in Catholic confession…?

and what do you know/expect Anglican confession to be?

I have my own for the latter but not so sure about what Catholic confession!

Thanks for your thoughts,

Peace, tata x

I’m not sure what you’re asking. And of course, different confessors have different approachs. Speaking as an Anglican, if you mean individual, auricular confession, AFAIK it doesn’t differ from the RCC (save that the RCC would say that the Anglican priest doesn’t possess valid orders, and thus the power to pronounce absolution, of course).

And few Anglican Churches have confessionals. In many cases, confessions are heard in the sanctuary, the priest in one pew, the penitent in the one behind. This is done in private, 1 on 1, of course.

Our parish provides a guide for a good confession, for examining your conscience and life, and to assist in recalling anything that might need to be mentioned. The priest will hear the confession, make a few comments/questions, perhaps assign a penance and pronounce absolution.

Still not sure I got the question correctly.

GKC

 

[Jonathan_Cid]

(save that the RCC would say that the Anglican priest doesn’t possess valid orders, and thus the power to pronounce absolution, of course).

Off-topic… Did Rome withdraw it’s recognition of the validity of Anglican Orders because of the ordination of women or homosexuals?

 

[anon52328184]

i am not sure i can answer that. i just left the episcopal/anglican communion for the RCC. the 55 years i was episcopal, i believed that our priests were part of the apostolic succession, but when i began studying at the RCC i asked if that were true, and the person said no, they are not considered part of the apostolic succession by the RCC. so that might have something to do with it. i guess it depends on which side you are on as to who believes what.
in the episcopal church we confess our sins in a communal prayer before communion. if you want to make an appointment to talk to a priest, you are able to do that. it is not a requirement to do a reconciliation like the sacrament of reconciliation in the RCC.
if i am incorrect on anything, please correct me whoever might read this.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Off-topic… Did Rome withdraw it’s recognition of the validity of Anglican Orders because of the ordination of women or homosexuals?

No. Rome issued that decision some hundred years ago [1890’s I think].

 

[Rita88]

So what kind of things do RCs actually “confess” to I guess is what I’m wondering now?

And also, in the Anglican church, is it necessary for the penitent not to be face to face with his/her priest when confessing?

 

[GKC]

No. Rome issued that decision some hundred years ago [1890’s I think].

1896, Apostolicae Curae, over Leo XIII’s signature, supposedly over technical issues related to form of the consecration rite and intent of consecrators.

It’s a complicated and sad story.

GKC

 

[TheGreenO]

So what kind of things do RCs actually “confess” to I guess is what I’m wondering now?

Any and all sins they have committed are up for confession, but most importantly they must confess mortal sins. Things like sexual immorality, killing, etc. There are a lot of things that fall into this area. These sins are ones that cut us off from God and His grace. We are to be forgiven these before receiving Communion/Eucharist thus we receive an outpouring of grace again. Of course we can’t remember all the little things, but they are always good to confess if we can remember them. One must examine their conscience before confessing to make a good confession. I am sure you can find a thread on mortal/venial sins to find the differences.

And also, in the Anglican church, is it necessary for the penitent not to be face to face with his/her priest when confessing?

Well, I wouldn’t know, but if there is no confessional then I would say that the likelihood of being behind a screen would be rare. Especially since it is not the norm in the Anglican Church.

Face to face confession isn’t bad at all…it’s really liberating to be able to talk to your priest in confession, and know that he will keep it to himself forever. Keep this in mind, he has probably hear it a million times before and probably heard worse.

 

[Rita88]

Any and all sins they have committed are up for confession, but most importantly they must confess mortal sins. Things like sexual immorality, killing, etc. There are a lot of things that fall into this area. These sins are ones that cut us off from God and His grace. We are to be forgiven these before receiving Communion/Eucharist thus we receive an outpouring of grace again. Of course we can’t remember all the little things, but they are always good to confess if we can remember them. One must examine their conscience before confessing to make a good confession. I am sure you can find a thread on mortal/venial sins to find the differences.

Well, I wouldn’t know, but if there is no confessional then I would say that the likelihood of being behind a screen would be rare. Especially since it is not the norm in the Anglican Church.

Face to face confession isn’t bad at all…it’s really liberating to be able to talk to your priest in confession, and know that he will keep it to himself forever. Keep this in mind, he has probably hear it a million times before and probably heard worse.

Hello and thanks for your reply! That’s really helpful. I guess I’m not too familiar with this side of things… I think I’ll email you via here with some more questions.