Confession & Reconciliation

[Dave_in_Dallas]

Ok, so officially the RC church teaches that confession must be heard by a Priest to recieve forgiveness, right?

I’ve heard a couple of priests describe the psychological affirmation given from confessing to another person, but yet say that of course God forgives you if you directly confess to Him.

(I’m sure this had been covered many times before, so I apologize to rehash an old subject).

Thanks

 

[Bookcat]

Ok, so officially the RC church teaches that confession must be heard by a Priest to recieve forgiveness, right?

I’ve heard a couple of priests describe the psychological affirmation given from confessing to another person, but yet say that of course God forgives you if you directly confess to Him.

(I’m sure this had been covered many times before, so I apologize to rehash an old subject).

Thanks

the better term is “Catholic Church” for there are the many Eastern Catholic churches which are part of the One Catholic Church…not just the Roman…

only mortal sins (grave, serious–all the same -just exchange in terms)need to be confessed…

from the compedium of the catechism (issued by Pope Benedict XVI)

1. Which sins must be confessed?

1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.

1. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?

1457

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.

1. Why can venial sins also be the object of sacramental confession?

1458

The confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church, even if this is not strictly necessary, because it helps us to form a correct conscience and to fight against evil tendencies. It allows us to be healed by Christ and to progress in the life of the Spirit.

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

---

What needs be confessed? mortal sins in number and kind since ones baptism.

can one be forgiven via prayer for mortal sin before one gets to confession?

Yes.

From the Catechism

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51​

Of course venal sins can be forgiven in many ways…do not wait for confession (if one only has venial sins)…such as prayer, almsgiving, fasting, reading Sacred Scriptures, contrition, perfect contrition, at Holy Communion etc…

 

[baltobetsy]

God can and does forgive sins directly when a person is truly repentant. However, Jesus Himself instituted the Sacrament on the evening of Easter when He told the Apostles, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven. Whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Why would He do that?

One legal reason: Sin separates us from God and from the Church. Sacramental absolution is the only way to be reconciled with the Church, even after God forgives.

And one pastoral/psychological reason: How do you know if you are sorry enough for God to forgive you? When you have sacramental absolution, you are ASSURED of God’s forgiveness, even if your contrition is imperfect.

Confession is not simply a hoop to be jumped through, as some people sadly think. It is a personal, loving encounter with Jesus in the person of the priest. The more often you receive the Sacrament, the more this becomes clear to you.

Betsy

 

[EasterJoy]

Absolution by a priest is only necessary to wipe away mortal sin. Venial sins are wiped away by Holy Communion, as well. Sacramental confession, as Bookcat pointed out in quoting the catechism, “the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.”

The soul and the psyche aren’t quite the same thing; neither are therapeutic effect and grace the same thing. The healing from private confession and absolution of venial sins does have a psychological aspect, and of course God may always choose to grant graces outside the ordinary channels He provides for obtaining them, but it is important to note that the Sacrament of Penance provides a source of grace that psychotherapy doesn’t provide, and of healing that goes beyond mere psychological effect.

Confession is an integral part of obtaining indulgences; that is, remission of the temporal punishment due to sin:
*1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.83

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the "new man."84*

 

[Crown_of_Thorns]

*“This sacrament reconciles us with the Church. Sin damages or even breaks fraternal communion. The sacrament of Penance repairs or restores it. In this sense it does not simply heal the one restored to ecclesial communion, but has also a revitalizing effect on the life of the Church which suffered from the sin of one of her members.” *CCC 1469

The protestant argument that we only need to repent to God, at its heart is rooted in the protestant view that faith is all about the personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, the Catholic would regard this as a very individualistic view of faith and salvation. The protestant mind thinks “I’m going to go to get to heaven.” The catholic mind thinks “we take each other to heaven.”

That is why the sacrament of penance is so important, because it highlights that my sins affect my brothers and sisters in the mystical body of Christ. Therefore, I have the responsibility to go the sacraments to receive healing and be reconciled with God and with the Church: because my sin is not just about me!!

 

[Dave_in_Dallas]

Thanks… that’s really cool about the effect on the whole church as a corporate body!