Confession question

[mlz]

I am seriously considering becoming Catholic but have been concerned about my parents reaction. (They are elderly) My dad is the hardest one since he is anti-Catholic. My mom is more open, but has bad rememberances of Catholics from her growing up years. I brought my mom to a Catholic Church the other day. (She wanted to see this beautiful new church, which happened to be Catholic) I brought her during the noon Mass, but when we came in there was no Mass so we sat down to talk. In talking my mom (in her 80’s) mentioned really wanting to give her confession (she was raised Methodist) She said that was something she really felt was good about Catholics. She just want to confess and get that “feeling of being forgiven” (absoulution) Now I know you have to be Catholic to recieve absolution, but would there ever be the opportunity for an old woman to be given this before her death. I don’t think she’d become Catholic, however she might come with me again for Mass. I would love to see her be able to go to a priest and confess if it is in her heart to do…? Any thoughts?

Thank you,
mlz

P.S. Pray also for my dad. Quite ironically, his dad was born and baptised Catholic but in young adult life left the Church to become a Methodist minister and missionary.

 

[Bookcat]

I would contact the Priest…

 

[beeliner]

I am seriously considering becoming Catholic but have been concerned about my parents reaction. (They are elderly) My dad is the hardest one since he is anti-Catholic. My mom is more open, but has bad rememberances of Catholics from her growing up years. I brought my mom to a Catholic Church the other day. (She wanted to see this beautiful new church, which happened to be Catholic) I brought her during the noon Mass, but when we came in there was no Mass so we sat down to talk. In talking my mom (in her 80’s) mentioned really wanting to give her confession (she was raised Methodist) She said that was something she really felt was good about Catholics. She just want to confess and get that “feeling of being forgiven” (absoulution) Now I know you have to be Catholic to recieve absolution, but would there ever be the opportunity for an old woman to be given this before her death. I don’t think she’d become Catholic, however she might come with me again for Mass. I would love to see her be able to go to a priest and confess if it is in her heart to do…? Any thoughts?

Thank you,
mlz

P.S. Pray also for my dad. Quite ironically, his dad was born and baptised Catholic but in young adult life left the Church to become a Methodist minister and missionary.

I believe that you are correct that she would have to be a baptized Catholic to receive the last rites from a Catholic priest, you might ask one to be sure.

She certainly doesn’t have to be a Catholic to make a sincere act of contrition, God is loving and merciful.

Odd that your father is a Methodist and anti-Catholic, Methodism is not known for that, it is one the more Catholic-like manifestations of Protestantism. Once I had a landlord who was a Methodist pastor in a small Tennessee town, the local Catholic priest was his best friend.

 

[dans0622]

… In talking my mom (in her 80’s) mentioned really wanting to give her confession (she was raised Methodist) She said that was something she really felt was good about Catholics. She just want to confess and get that “feeling of being forgiven” (absoulution) Now I know you have to be Catholic to recieve absolution, but would there ever be the opportunity for an old woman to be given this before her death. I would love to see her be able to go to a priest and confess if it is in her heart to do…? Any thoughts? …

Hello mlz,

As I think was mentioned in the thread you posted about your own possible absolution a few years ago (that was you, right?), there is a provision for baptized, non-Catholics like your mother to receive absolution, in canon 844.4 of the Code of Canon Law: “If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.”

“These same sacraments” means Confession, Communion, and Anointing of the sick. So, whenever the time comes that your mother is in danger of death, she could certainly ask for and receive these Sacraments. If you wanted to approach the Bishop and lay out the facts of your mother’s case, you could ask him to allow her to receive these Sacraments even if she is not in danger of death…keeping in mind all the requirements at the end of the quoted passage.

Prayers for you and your parents.

Dan

 

[Incomplete]

It wouldn’t hurt to talk to a priest. Even without the sacrament of confession, if he would be willing to listen to her talk about her sins, he could mentor her and be a bridge to her learning more about the Church.

My mother-in-law was never going to be Catholic either. But with a great priest, last year, at age 85, she was received into the Church.