Confession from a Mormon

[LivingWaters7]

To be clear, while the standard practice in the Western (i.e. Roman/Latin Rite) part of the Catholic Church is to be “anonymous” when confessing (though I’m sure the priest would have no problem meeting face to face with you, and we often do meet with our priests to discuss various matters), in the East (both Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox), the norm, from what I am aware, is to confess face to face to the priest, before an icon of Christ.

http://gabrielsmessage.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/confession7.jpg





One difference between LDS and Catholic confession is that for Catholics, Confession is a priestly Sacrament. The priest, through Jesus Christ, has the power and authority to absolve our sins (see the links I gave earlier in the thread). While Latter-day Saints confess serious sins to their bishop, the bishop does not have any priesthood authority to absolve sins, nor is confessing to the bishop regarded as an ordinance.

 

[RebeccaJ]

To be clear, while the standard practice in the Western (i.e. Roman/Latin Rite) part of the Catholic Church is to be “anonymous” when confessing (though I’m sure the priest would have no problem meeting face to face with you, and we often do meet with our priests to discuss various matters), in the East (both Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox), the norm, from what I am aware, is to confess face to face to the priest, before an icon of Christ.

http://gabrielsmessage.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/confession7.jpg

http://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/u..._Aleksij_Uminskij_odin_denj_01_1352926887.jpg

http://faithandfortitude.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/confession1.jpg

One difference between LDS and Catholic confession is that for Catholics, Confession is a priestly Sacrament. The priest, through Jesus Christ, has the power and authority to absolve our sins (see the links I gave earlier in the thread). While Latter-day Saints confess serious sins to their bishop, the bishop does not have any priesthood authority to absolve sins, nor is confessing to the bishop regarded as an ordinance.

Beautiful photos! Though, the first two are a bit disconcerting, having someone else standing there who can listen in.

In the various churches where I’ve gone to confession, I’ve had the option to confess behind a screen or sit face to face with the priest. I’ve done both.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I’ve confessed to two LDS bishops in the last two decades. In both cases, there was indeed a lot of listening, and an neither case did I feel like it was an interrogation. I’m not saying Texan’s take on things never happens, just saying my two experiences were the exact opposite.

It is true that confessing to church leaders in the LDS church is not anonymous.

I made one confession to a Mormon bishop, ages ago. One of the worst experiences of my life. You’d never get me to do it again! I certainly didn’t feel the peace of having been forgiven, as I do when I receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But then, as my view is now, I don’t see that a LDS bishop has the authority to hear confession, so that is the why of the two experiences.

 

[andrewstx]

This is from our Gospel Essentials manual - used in Sunday School classes for investigators, new members, and anyone who wants to brush up on the basics:

I appologise. I have only known one who has confessed in that way to his bishop. He was in a different ward and I don’t know the particulars in his case.

Why must we humans always it seems always focus on the ‘sins of the flesh’, entertainment value perhaps?

Their are many other sins that were mentioned by Our Lord that do not involve the ‘flesh’ at all. Like mainly pride. Jesus spoke about that all the time and the only time I recall in the gospels is the woman caught in adultery. Most off us would be gathering stones to throw but Jesus just told her “Go and sin no more”.

 

[TRH1292]

Thanks for apologizing son. We all make plenty of mistakes.

 

[zz912]

Beautiful photos! Though, the first two are a bit disconcerting, having someone else standing there who can listen in.

They may have music playing to drown out any possible invasion of privacy. We have this at my parish during Lent and Advent when they will have multiple priests holding Confession.

 

[zz912]

To the OP, of all the faith groups and religions I encounter, the Mormons are some of the nicest and most polite people I’ve encountered. I’ve certainly experienced no adverse interactions with them.

As for ashes on Ash Wednesday, don’t sweat it. Part of being Catholic is being used to the reactions on that day.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[taylorf]

I made one confession to a Mormon bishop, ages ago. One of the worst experiences of my life. You’d never get me to do it again!

Same here. Last confession to a Bishop for me was 1998 and one of the worst experiences of my life. Swore I’d never do it again and never did. That experience was the beginning of the end for me.

 

[Miriam1947]

Same here. Last confession to a Bishop for me was 1998 and one of the worst experiences of my life. Swore I’d never do it again and never did. That experience was the beginning of the end for me.

Have you ever been baptized as anything other than a Mormon?

 

[taylorf]

Have you ever been baptized as anything other than a Mormon?

Nope. I am BIC and was active in the church through July of last year. Prior to July, I had never even been to a service of another church.

 

[ffg]

So, after reading a few threads here on CAF about confession, I’m a little unclear about a Catholic’s position. I hear some saying you only confess to a priest, others saying you confess to God. But for a mormon, it’s pretty clear. Part of applying Christ’s atonement in our lives involves repenting of sins. Part of repentance is confessing sins. Wherever possible, we must confess to those we have offended. I’ve sinned against Catholics. I’m sorry.

That was a great post.

This has probably been clarified, but a part of confession for a Catholic is absolutely atonement to those offended. On simple matters requiring only an apology, the teaching is not to avoid apologizing until you can get in the confessional. You can apologize, then bring the sin before the priest for absolution.

Think of the sacrament in these steps - Confess, Absolution, Penance, Retribution.

Many people stop at Penance because Priests rarely give instruction for retribution. But if we steal something and go to confession, a part of our healing from sinful behavior would be to ‘give it back’ or make things whole to whom we stole from.

Retribution is naturally embarrassing, what better way to instill a desire to do good.

So it’s a pretty complex sacrament / process, much more than just the first step of confession and ‘to who’.

 

[kimg901]

Beautiful photos! Though, the first two are a bit disconcerting, having someone else standing there who can listen in.

In the various churches where I’ve gone to confession, I’ve had the option to confess behind a screen or sit face to face with the priest. I’ve done both.

I’ve been behind the screen once and to tell you the truth, I didn’t care for it. Since then I have always preferred to be face to face. I guess I’m just weird because when you can look a man or woman in the face you can see if they are sincere or not.

 

[Miriam1947]

Nope. I am BIC and was active in the church through July of last year. Prior to July, I had never even been to a service of another church.

Oh yay! That means that you will be baptized into the Catholic Church and every sin you have ever committed will be totally gone! You will be a saint. (Not for long though, for me I think it was about 20 minutes. )

 

[zaffiroborant]

That was a great post.

This has probably been clarified, but a part of confession for a Catholic is absolutely atonement to those offended. On simple matters requiring only an apology, the teaching is not to avoid apologizing until you can get in the confessional. You can apologize, then bring the sin before the priest for absolution.

Think of the sacrament in these steps - Confess, Absolution, Penance, Retribution.

Many people stop at Penance because Priests rarely give instruction for retribution. But if we steal something and go to confession, a part of our healing from sinful behavior would be to ‘give it back’ or make things whole to whom we stole from.

Retribution is naturally embarrassing, what better way to instill a desire to do good.

So it’s a pretty complex sacrament / process, much more than just the first step of confession and ‘to who’.

Do you mean restitution and not retribution?

 

[ffg]

Do you mean restitution and not retribution?

Sorry, yes.

oops.

 

[lynnettejane]

I spent the night thinking about this thread.

Multiple people have given their experiences of getting strange looks or receiving poor treatment from Mormons who notice their cross or crucifix. One poster, who chose to be best man at his LDS friend’s wedding reception, even mentioned an LDS bishop going down the line shaking everyone’s hands, took one look at his crucifix, and moved past him without a handshake to the next person in line. I find these stories to be evidence that some of us mormons have some repenting to do, and we need to step up our behavior.

Since confessing the sins of others is a waste of time, so I look into my own actions to see what’s there. I don’t ever remember acting in such an insulting way when encountering a crucifix or cross, but I have sinned against Catholics in two related ways.

First, back in the mid '90’s, I got on an elevator where I worked. One other occupant made the ride with me - a woman with a black smear on her forehead. At the time, I was unaware of the practice on ash Wednesday, and didn’t know what was happening. But rather than ask her about it, I’m afraid that I just came across with a reaction similar to these stories from that thread. I regret reacting in that way. I don’t remember her name and will never be able to apologize to her directly, so I’m coming here and apologizing to you folks. I’m sorry, and I won’t do it again.

Second, once or twice a year, I see a thread on some LDS discussion board about someone wearing a crucifix. It often generates a lot of activity, as various mormons and nonmormons chime in with a wide range of opinions. I’ve never participated, because I never really cared what people wear or why. Up until last night, I had failed to educate myself about why some of my Catholic neighbors do what they do, and the importance of the crucifix in their worldview. I’m sorry. Now I know, and I commit to participating in these LDS discussions to defend your practice, and spread the information.

So, after reading a few threads here on CAF about confession, I’m a little unclear about a Catholic’s position. I hear some saying you only confess to a priest, others saying you confess to God. But for a mormon, it’s pretty clear. Part of applying Christ’s atonement in our lives involves repenting of sins. Part of repentance is confessing sins. Wherever possible, we must confess to those we have offended. I’ve sinned against Catholics. I’m sorry.

Bless you Looks like we both love the Lord and his infinite capacity for forgiveness and mercy

 

[taylorf]

Oh yay! That means that you will be baptized into the Catholic Church and every sin you have ever committed will be totally gone! You will be a saint. (Not for long though, for me I think it was about 20 minutes. )

I figure I’ll have about 60-90 seconds to intercede on your behalf before I fall from sainthood. I’ll do what I can.

 

[Miriam1947]

I figure I’ll have about 60-90 seconds to intercede on your behalf before I fall from sainthood. I’ll do what I can.

Thanks!

 

[catholic-rcia]

I spent the night thinking about this thread.

Multiple people have given their experiences of getting strange looks or receiving poor treatment from Mormons who notice their cross or crucifix. One poster, who chose to be best man at his LDS friend’s wedding reception, even mentioned an LDS bishop going down the line shaking everyone’s hands, took one look at his crucifix, and moved past him without a handshake to the next person in line. I find these stories to be evidence that some of us mormons have some repenting to do, and we need to step up our behavior.

Since confessing the sins of others is a waste of time, so I look into my own actions to see what’s there. I don’t ever remember acting in such an insulting way when encountering a crucifix or cross, but I have sinned against Catholics in two related ways.

First, back in the mid '90’s, I got on an elevator where I worked. One other occupant made the ride with me - a woman with a black smear on her forehead. At the time, I was unaware of the practice on ash Wednesday, and didn’t know what was happening. But rather than ask her about it, I’m afraid that I just came across with a reaction similar to these stories from that thread. I regret reacting in that way. I don’t remember her name and will never be able to apologize to her directly, so I’m coming here and apologizing to you folks. I’m sorry, and I won’t do it again.

Second, once or twice a year, I see a thread on some LDS discussion board about someone wearing a crucifix. It often generates a lot of activity, as various mormons and nonmormons chime in with a wide range of opinions. I’ve never participated, because I never really cared what people wear or why. Up until last night, I had failed to educate myself about why some of my Catholic neighbors do what they do, and the importance of the crucifix in their worldview. I’m sorry. Now I know, and I commit to participating in these LDS discussions to defend your practice, and spread the information.

So, after reading a few threads here on CAF about confession, I’m a little unclear about a Catholic’s position. I hear some saying you only confess to a priest, others saying you confess to God. But for a mormon, it’s pretty clear. Part of applying Christ’s atonement in our lives involves repenting of sins. Part of repentance is confessing sins. Wherever possible, we must confess to those we have offended. I’ve sinned against Catholics. I’m sorry.

I make crucifixes. I was baptised Catholic in Logan Utah in 1999. The Crucifix is the greatest of Christian symbols. All the answers to love, pain and suffering are found in Christ’s Crucifixion for us. Its what he came to do. I cannot begin to explain Why the Crucifix front and center in our lives. You have to dive in, go deep. I could help if you are willing.
Rich
www.utahmission and www.chooseyourcross.com
God Bless

 

[TexanKnight]

I wore a Crucifix and/or a cross growing up. I was told, when I became LDS, that I should not wear it. I was chastised for it. On my mission, I was forbidden from wearing it.