Confession for non-Catholics

[cherubs1983]

Is it possible for a non-Catholic to go to confession to a Catholic priest without RCIA training?

 

[1ke]

Is it possible for a non-Catholic to go to confession to a Catholic priest without RCIA training?

Only when there is danger of death. Here are the relevant canons:

Can. 842 ß1 A person who has not received baptism cannot validly be admitted to the other sacraments.

ß2 The sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the blessed Eucharist so complement one another that all three are required for full Christian initiation.

Can. 843 ß1 Sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.

ß2 According to their respective offices in the Church, both pastors of souls and all other members of Christ’s faithful have a duty to ensure that those who ask for the sacraments are prepared for their reception. This should be done through proper evangelization and catechetical instruction, in accordance with the norms laid down by the competent authority.

Can. 844 ß1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ’s faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in ß2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in can. 861 ß2.

ß2 Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ’s faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

ß3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

ß4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other Christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

 

[Fergal]

They can go to Confession but they cannot receive absolution.

 

[puzzleannie]

They can go to Confession but they cannot receive absolution.

the priest will be the one to decide whether or not absolution may be granted, depending on the individual’s circumstances. There may very well be reasons why a non-Catholic may be absolved, and the priest knows what they are and when to apply them. The most common being danger of death i.e. wartime, no access to clergy of their own faith, preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church.