Confession to any available priest?

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I’m a Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic. I’d like to confess before the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, but the Byzantine parish that I normally attend is half an hour from my house and it is difficult for me to get there during the week. In contrast, there are several Latin parishes nearby, one within walking distance. My question is this: can I confess to a Latin priest? I heard somewhere that one is canonically required to confess to one’s own parish priest; is this true? If so, I can wait, but I’d really like to confess before Sunday. To complicate matters further, I know that the Eastern Catholic Churches have their own distinct Code of Canon Law, so I don’t know whether the “rules” are the same as those of the Latin Church.

Also, I’ve never experienced the Latin form of confession before, and I’d like to do so. I always welcome the opportunity to experience practices that are unique to the different Rites (and sui iuris Churches) of the universal Church. Thanks for the help.

God bless,

Chris

P.S.

I already posted this question in the “Ask an Apologist” forum, but because I need an answer soon and our esteemed moderators are undoubtedly swamped with work, I thought I’d post here as well. Glad to see the forums up and running again!
 
From waht I understand, you as a Ruthenian Catholic may particpate in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession in a Latin-rite Church or any of the other 21 rites of the Ctaholic Church and we as Latin-rite Catholics may go Eastern rite Catholic Churches and go to thier Confessions and partake in thier Liturgies.
 
I am Ruthenian Eastern Catholic and although I currently don’t go to an Eastern rite church since there is none near me, when I used to go to one I still never confessed to an Eastern rite priest. I don’t like the lack of confessionals in the Eastern Rite so I don’t confess there. Too much chance that someone will accidentally step near and hear something and I also don’t likle confessing to a priest that knows who I am.

Oh the point is to feel free to confess in a Latin rite church.
 
Even Latin Rite Catholics don’t have to confess to their pastor; or if he is so fortunate, his parochial vicars; of the parish to which they belong.

I’m in a position where I work in my parish, and I don’t want to confess to the priest who is ultimately my boss, no matter how nice a guy he is! I know of other people who, for a variety of reasons, either can’t go or don’t like our pastor’s confessional “bedside manner” if you will.

So, feel free to find a Latin Rite priest as your confessor.
 
In the Latin Rite, we can Confess to any available priest.

I have an outline of the form that is typically used, HERE. Your mileage may vary, but not usually by much - most priests stick pretty close to this format.

The Examination of Conscience that I have linked at the top of that page is intended for very young teenagers, but I have known adults who also found it helpful.

You can also go HERE for something a little more thorough. 🙂
 
Thepeug said:
I’m a Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic. I’d like to confess before the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, but the Byzantine parish that I normally attend is half an hour from my house and it is difficult for me to get there during the week. In contrast, there are several Latin parishes nearby, one within walking distance. My question is this: can I confess to a Latin priest? I heard somewhere that one is canonically required to confess to one’s own parish priest; is this true? If so, I can wait, but I’d really like to confess before Sunday. To complicate matters further, I know that the Eastern Catholic Churches have their own distinct Code of Canon Law, so I don’t know whether the “rules” are the same as those of the Latin Church.

Also, I’ve never experienced the Latin form of confession before, and I’d like to do so. I always welcome the opportunity to experience practices that are unique to the different Rites (and sui iuris Churches) of the universal Church. Thanks for the help.

God bless,

Chris

P.S.

I already posted this question in the “Ask an Apologist” forum, but because I need an answer soon and our esteemed moderators are undoubtedly swamped with work, I thought I’d post here as well. Glad to see the forums up and running again!
Click to expand...
Also you can go to this page:

masstimes.org/dotnet/Default.aspx

This page lists mass times, confession times, language, etc of every Catholic Church (of all rites) in your area, just type in the zip code…VERY Helpful
 
Thank you all for the information and kind words of advice. For one who has no idea what to expect from a Latin confession, the “how-to” links are especially helpful! I’ll make an appointment with the local priest as soon as possible.

God bless,

Chris
 
If you tell the priest you’re Eastern Catholic and unfamiliar with the procedure in Latin Churches he’ll be happy to walk you through it I’m sure. They also usually have the prayers printed out on a card in the confessional as well as an extra help 👍
 
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