Confession, Forgiveness, and Protestants

[Xandria]

Since I want to hear the Catholic answer to this and not start a debate with Protestants I’m posting this question here.

I’m waiting to become Catholic. I believe in the absolution gained in confession through the authority given to the priest and I can also see the obvious psychological effect of hearing the words “you are forgiven”. But I wonder, since despite trying to live as the Church teaches, I still often majorly screw up, how forgiveness is handled with Protestants who don’t have this sacrament. If they (and I still have to include myself) pray privately to God to ask for forgiveness, I cannot imagine that God would not forgive them.

So what is the difference then?

Perhaps, and I have no idea if I’m at least partly right in this guess, they are forgiven because they don’t know any better? Like, if I (who believes in the sacrament of reconciliation) chose to not become Catholic and consequently to not confess my sins because it’s easier to just say a private prayer, I would maybe have more trouble receiving forgiveness than a Protestant who has been taught otherwise by his denomination?

 

[IrishAm]

Our God is amazingly abundant in His mercy, so He may very well forgive repentent sinners however they come to Him. However, sadly, outside of this wonderful sacrament, the forgiven will not additionally receive the abundance of graces and strength that come along with that forgivness though Confession.

 

[Theotician]

The first thing to remember is that as AMAZING as the sacraments are, God is in no way limited by them. He started them, doesn’t mean he needs them to do anything with us.

On the flip side, just because something isn’t absolutely necessary doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea, and as IrishAm said, the graces involved are specific to the sacrament when given.
Being a former Protestant myself, I definitely know the difference between my personal prayers to Christ, and the Absolution as given by a priest.

AND confession is about more than the forgiveness of sin, but the healing of our relationship with the Church as well as that with Christ (which is why it a Sacrament of Healing, along with Anointing of the Sick).

 

[FrDavid96]

Since I want to hear the Catholic answer to this and not start a debate with Protestants I’m posting this question here.

I’m waiting to become Catholic. I believe in the absolution gained in confession through the authority given to the priest and I can also see the obvious psychological effect of hearing the words “you are forgiven”. But I wonder, since despite trying to live as the Church teaches, I still often majorly screw up, how forgiveness is handled with Protestants who don’t have this sacrament. If they (and I still have to include myself) pray privately to God to ask for forgiveness, I cannot imagine that God would not forgive them.

So what is the difference then?

Perhaps, and I have no idea if I’m at least partly right in this guess, they are forgiven because they don’t know any better? Like, if I (who believes in the sacrament of reconciliation) chose to not become Catholic and consequently to not confess my sins because it’s easier to just say a private prayer, I would maybe have more trouble receiving forgiveness than a Protestant who has been taught otherwise by his denomination?

Xandria,

Although people often use the words “forgiveness” and “absolution” interchangeably, they are different, and many people don’t realize how important that difference is.

Forgiveness, of course, means that God has forgiven our sin(s). In His infinite mercy, He can do this anytime (again, of course) for anyone. There are no limitations on whom, how, or what, or anything else.

Absolution, on the other hand, is a juridic act of the Church. That means that the priest, acting on behalf of the Church reconciles the person to God and the Church. It also means that in order to receive absolution, one must be a member of the Church, or in extreme cases somehow eligible to receive the sacrament. The Church has the “authority” to “regulate” absolution; so for example a priest must not only be ordained but must have faculties to hear confessions in an individual case.

Ideally, forgiveness will always come as a result of absolution, and always does so long as we make a good confession, and are sincere. Absolution makes the forgiveness more “accessible” to the people of God because the Sacrament supplies what is lacking because of our human imperfections. So when we make a good confession, we are both absolved and forgiven.

Forgiveness may indeed be given by God without the Sacrament, and without the absolution; but it’s much more difficult.

Hope that helps.

Personal note: I have a “policy” of not participating in confession threads, but because this one is purely objective and does not have to do with any person’s actual confession, I thought I’d post here.

 

[jkpreece]

Since I want to hear the Catholic answer to this and not start a debate with Protestants I’m posting this question here.

I’m waiting to become Catholic. I believe in the absolution gained in confession through the authority given to the priest and I can also see the obvious psychological effect of hearing the words “you are forgiven”. But I wonder, since despite trying to live as the Church teaches, I still often majorly screw up, how forgiveness is handled with Protestants who don’t have this sacrament. If they (and I still have to include myself) pray privately to God to ask for forgiveness, I cannot imagine that God would not forgive them.

So what is the difference then?

Perhaps, and I have no idea if I’m at least partly right in this guess, they are forgiven because they don’t know any better? Like, if I (who believes in the sacrament of reconciliation) chose to not become Catholic and consequently to not confess my sins because it’s easier to just say a private prayer, I would maybe have more trouble receiving forgiveness than a Protestant who has been taught otherwise by his denomination?

For a Protestant, forgiveness is there from God when they ask for it. God is not bound. But I have a sneaking suspicion that you or someone else believes the Catholic Church to be the one and true Church, but you or this other person wish not to join because of convenience issues. If this is the case, you must understand that Jesus gave us a command. He said to follow Him, and He is “The Truth.” How then can we pretend to follow Jesus if we will not go all the way with Him? Though I am not saying that this person would be damned because I cannot make such a claim, however I would ask that If a person who remains protestant because of convenience issues, would they believe they can be forgiven of going directly against what his/her own conscience is telling him/her.
This was a decision in which I had to make as well, and it did mean giving up a lot of friends. But I have to follow God, wherever he may be.
So the question again is, can we be forgiven of not following God if we refuse to repent and follow Him all the way? “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16:24)

 

[Xandria]

Xandria,

Although people often use the words “forgiveness” and “absolution” interchangeably, they are different, and many people don’t realize how important that difference is.

Forgiveness, of course, means that God has forgiven our sin(s). In His infinite mercy, He can do this anytime (again, of course) for anyone. There are no limitations on whom, how, or what, or anything else.

Absolution, on the other hand, is a juridic act of the Church. That means that the priest, acting on behalf of the Church reconciles the person to God and the Church. It also means that in order to receive absolution, one must be a member of the Church, or in extreme cases somehow eligible to receive the sacrament. The Church has the “authority” to “regulate” absolution; so for example a priest must not only be ordained but must have faculties to hear confessions in an individual case.

Ideally, forgiveness will always come as a result of absolution, and always does so long as we make a good confession, and are sincere. Absolution makes the forgiveness more “accessible” to the people of God because the Sacrament supplies what is lacking because of our human imperfections. So when we make a good confession, we are both absolved and forgiven.

Forgiveness may indeed be given by God without the Sacrament, and without the absolution; but it’s much more difficult.

Hope that helps.

Personal note: I have a “policy” of not participating in confession threads, but because this one is purely objective and does not have to do with any person’s actual confession, I thought I’d post here.

Thank you, that helped a lot. But how does mortal sin fit in with that? I still have problems with that concept.

 

[Xandria]

For a Protestant, forgiveness is there from God when they ask for it. God is not bound. But I have a sneaking suspicion that you or someone else believes the Catholic Church to be the one and true Church, but you or this other person wish not to join because of convenience issues. If this is the case, you must understand that Jesus gave us a command. He said to follow Him, and He is “The Truth.” How then can we pretend to follow Jesus if we will not go all the way with Him? Though I am not saying that this person would be damned because I cannot make such a claim, however I would ask that If a person who remains protestant because of convenience issues, would they believe they can be forgiven of going directly against what his/her own conscience is telling him/her.
This was a decision in which I had to make as well, and it did mean giving up a lot of friends. But I have to follow God, wherever he may be.
So the question again is, can we be forgiven of not following God if we refuse to repent and follow Him all the way? “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16:24)

No, you misunderstood me. I was just giving an example. I very much look forward to becoming Catholic.

 

[jlhargus]

Since I want to hear the Catholic answer to this and not start a debate with Protestants I’m posting this question here.

I’m waiting to become Catholic. I believe in the absolution gained in confession through the authority given to the priest and I can also see the obvious psychological effect of hearing the words “you are forgiven”. But I wonder, since despite trying to live as the Church teaches, I still often majorly screw up, how forgiveness is handled with Protestants who don’t have this sacrament. If they (and I still have to include myself) pray privately to God to ask for forgiveness, I cannot imagine that God would not forgive them.

So what is the difference then?

Perhaps, and I have no idea if I’m at least partly right in this guess, they are forgiven because they don’t know any better? Like, if I (who believes in the sacrament of reconciliation) chose to not become Catholic and consequently to not confess my sins because it’s easier to just say a private prayer, I would maybe have more trouble receiving forgiveness than a Protestant who has been taught otherwise by his denomination?

JL: I remember when I belonged to a non-denominational faith group, an elderly lady was giving her testimony and said, there was one thing she could never get forgivness for, although God had given her a good heart. I think one blessing, of confession to a priest, is assurance that God has forgiven our sins. As a Protestant I can remember wondering if God had forgiven me or was I just fooling myself. There was always a nagging feeling maybe God did not forgive me.

 

[FrDavid96]

Thank you, that helped a lot. But how does mortal sin fit in with that? I still have problems with that concept.

OK. Explain the “problems” and we’ll try to help. The post I wrote earlier (the one you quoted) applies to both mortal and venial sins, but of course, mortal sins would have a higher “standard” if you will.

 

[RoyNeary2001]

What is the relationship between the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconcilation? Christ died for the forgiveness of sins. So can a Protestant have an intention to make a confession of sin while not understanding the availability of grace and mercy through Sacramental confession to a priest? That would depend on their understanding of sacramental mediation rather than a merely spiritual intermediation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Since I want to hear the Catholic answer to this and not start a debate with Protestants I’m posting this question here.

I’m waiting to become Catholic. I believe in the absolution gained in confession through the authority given to the priest and I can also see the obvious psychological effect of hearing the words “you are forgiven”. But I wonder, since despite trying to live as the Church teaches, I still often majorly screw up, how forgiveness is handled with Protestants who don’t have this sacrament. If they (and I still have to include myself) pray privately to God to ask for forgiveness, I cannot imagine that God would not forgive them.

So what is the difference then?

Perhaps, and I have no idea if I’m at least partly right in this guess, they are forgiven because they don’t know any better? Like, if I (who believes in the sacrament of reconciliation) chose to not become Catholic and consequently to not confess my sins because it’s easier to just say a private prayer, I would maybe have more trouble receiving forgiveness than a Protestant who has been taught otherwise by his denomination?

Protestants can pray directly to God for forgiveness of their sins, He may or may not forgive them. I guess they will find out if He did or not when their life here ends.

For me I would rather have access to the Sacrament.

 

[jkpreece]

No, you misunderstood me. I was just giving an example. I very much look forward to becoming Catholic.

Just making sure. It’s hard to tell sometimes.
It’s always good to see people coming home