Confession Confusion

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SisterSnowflake

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Three times in the recent past (during the Sacrament of Reconciliation), I have had three different priests explain to me that it is not necessary for “us” (all people/anyone) to partake of this Sacrament for the express reason that “we participate in confession every time we go to Mass”. :confused:

All three priests were in a similar age group (all in their late fifties to mid-sixties)…was this a popular teaching when they would have come through seminary? Are they technically correct? I just found it intersting that three different priests would offer this opinion, independently of each other, to a penitent.:crossrc:
 
SisterSnowflake said:
Three times in the recent past (during the Sacrament of Reconciliation), I have had three different priests explain to me that it is not necessary for “us” (all people/anyone) to partake of this Sacrament for the express reason that “we participate in confession every time we go to Mass”. :confused:

All three priests were in a similar age group (all in their late fifties to mid-sixties)…was this a popular teaching when they would have come through seminary? Are they technically correct? I just found it intersting that three different priests would offer this opinion, independently of each other, to a penitent.:crossrc:
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This, in the case of mortal sins, is simply false, and a function of the kind of revisionary theology and misinformation that was bandied around in the years immediately following the Council.

If you have committed a sin that consists of grave matter, with full intention and consent, the absolution at Mass by the priest is inadequate andd you must not receive the Holy Eucharist until absolved in sacramental confession, except perhaps in exceptional circumstances where there is a special reason to receive, and you have made a perfect act of contrition and have genuinely had no opportunity to confess.

God Bless.
 
Not necessary to go to confession before every mass (or specifically communion) unless we have mortal sin on our souls. Am I missing something or does that answer the question?
 
Thanks for your responses. 🙂

All three priests seemed to be telling me that I did not need to go to confession at all, ever. :eek:
 
SisterSnowflake said:
Thanks for your responses. 🙂

All three priests seemed to be telling me that I did not need to go to confession at all, ever. :eek:
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I am sure they didnt mean that (at least I hope not), bless you for appreciating the great graces of the sacraments. 👍
 
I have no idea why he would be so adamant and global in his remark, except that he no longer sees the distinction between the penitential right and the sacramental grace of reconciliation. I can understand that a priest might discourage someone from frequent confession if it appears the person is overly-scrupulous, but his comment is way overboard.

The penitential rite addresses venial sins in general absolution, but not so mortal sins. The Sacrament of Reconciliation calls for a conversion of heart. That requires an examination of conscience, humility, reflection and sorrow and participation through the actual confession of sin. The priest in turn responds to you personally, offers you the words of forgiveness and the sacramental graces. I don’t see how he could suggest that the penitential rite alone could in some way supplant the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
 
To the OP:

I would ask one (or all of them) to clarify what he was saying. It’s possible that you misunderstood what was said, as it is not necessary to go to Confession merely for venial sins (although we are encouraged to confess them when we do go).

If, in fact, they were telling you that Confession is not necessary at all, I would suggest that you gently and charitably note your disagreement (in private, of course) and advise them that you are concerned that people will be led astray by such teachings. Depending on their reaction, it may be best to notify the bishop.

Peace,
Dante
 
Simon_X said:
I am sure they didnt mean that (at least I hope not), bless you for appreciating the great graces of the sacraments. 👍
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Oh, they probably did. However, they are incorrect. This was one of the popular “teachings” immediately following the council. I mean, no one really likes to go to Confession until they’ve been & felt the glorious release that comes with the telling of your sins aloud & having them forgiven by God, Himself…through a priest.

Some priests during the 70’s & 80’s felt that the Sacrament of Confession inhibited our “separated brethren”…made it harder for them to come into the fold. I haven’t heard the “no need for private confession” theory in a long time, it was replaced with the ‘face-to-face’ fad in my old parish. After all, why “hide” from the priest…no need to be ashamed of your sins??? I don’t know about you folks, but I** am **ashamed of my sins, especially those that I’m repeating for the 1200th time.

It turns out that the theory that ALL sins are forgiven at Mass orginated here in the good old U.S.of A…not in Rome…

Confession is a Sacrament unto it’s own. It’s more than a small part of the Mass. The sacrament, by its very nature, confers graces that help us to live a Christian life, which is why the Church requires us to receive it at least once per year. Moreover, it was instituted by Christ as the proper form for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, we should not only be willing to receive the sacrament, but we should embrace it as a gift from a loving God, Who so badly wants to absolve us & give us the graces necessary to lead a holy life.
 
I have come across people who believe, incorrectily, that you have to go to confesion before you can receive communion, mortal sin or not. We had an hour long discussion on this in RCIA with a sponsor who was telling this to a candidate and the candidate was getting really upset over the thought of having to go to confession every week. We finally convinced the sponsor by showing it to her in the catechism. Confession is only necessary for mortal sins and the obligation to go once a year is also for grave sins. Technically, if you don’t commit a mortal sin you don’t have to go to confession. Not saying that is a good idea, people should make frequent use of the sacrament, mortal sin or not.
 
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