Confession

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Ary_girl

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I was just wondering what the qualifications were for receiving absolution. I have heard that a baptized non-catholic cannot be absolved. Can a person going through RCIA go to confession? Or do they have to wait for some ceremony? A person needs to go to confession before they go they have their first communion. So at what point can a person receive valid absolution for their sins?
 
Ary_girl said:
I was just wondering what the qualifications were for receiving absolution. I have heard that a baptized non-catholic cannot be absolved. Can a person going through RCIA go to confession? Or do they have to wait for some ceremony? A person needs to go to confession before they go they have their first communion. So at what point can a person receive valid absolution for their sins?
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yes a baptized non-Catholic will make a general confession before confirmation and first communion, and will receive absolution because they have come to the point of accepting Catholic teaching, including moral teaching, laws on marriage etc., and are ready to make a profession of faith. There is no ceremony other than the rite of penance itself. they will be taught about the sacrament and prepared for first confession during their RCIA class, but may go to confession when they are ready, without waiting for any communal penance service or set date. the candidate would inform the priest of their status.
 
I should probably be more specific. I went through RCIA classes for three or four months, but had to stop attending. At this point in time, I am stuck between the Catholic and Orthodox churches (with a stronger leaning toward the Catholic Church) each of which have confession. I believe that the confession of sins to a priest is necessary if one realizes that Christ established the sacrament. In other words I cannot claim invincible ignorance. I really just want to have my sins absolved, but don’t know whether or not that is possible.
 
Ary_girl said:
I was just wondering what the qualifications were for receiving absolution. I have heard that a baptized non-catholic cannot be absolved. Can a person going through RCIA go to confession? Or do they have to wait for some ceremony? A person needs to go to confession before they go they have their first communion. So at what point can a person receive valid absolution for their sins?
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Hi Ary_girl and welcome to the forums -

The Sacrament of Confession is contained in the RCIA process. You MUST go to Confession to complete the process. I recommend for you to have just a bit of patience. Ask your RCIA teacher or director when you will receive the Sacrament. This will give you a better idea.

You can also ask the priest if he will hear your confession. It may just fill the RCIA requirement! 😃 It’s really up to him anyway.

Subrosa
 
Ary_girl said:
I
. . .
At this point in time, I am stuck between the Catholic and Orthodox churches (with a stronger leaning toward the Catholic Church) each of which have confession…
I really just want to have my sins absolved, but don’t know whether or not that is possible.
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the sacraments are reserved for those who are in full communion with the Church. Once a baptized candidate preparing for full communion makes the commitment to proceed to profession of faith and reception of holy communion and confirmation, he is also admitted to confession, in preparation for those sacraments, and in fact is require to confess all sins of his past life first.

The Orthodox have similar laws, and in fact somewhat stricter, so I cannot speak for them. It seems you are in a place of decision and must choose, and when you do, abide by the sacramental laws that bind you from that point on. Definitely ask your specific question of a Catholic priest and of an Orthodox priest. It is my understanding that an Orthodox priest, if he does not recognize you, will ask if you are a member.
 
Thank you for the welcome, Subrosa. And thanks all for the answers. I’ll try to be patient and wait until the time I can go to confession, yet is is so hard. Also thanks for the clarification puzzleannie . . . at this time it is a very hard choice between the Catholic and Orthodox churches so it may be a time before I come to a definite decision on the matter.
 
Ary_girl said:
Thank you for the welcome, Subrosa. And thanks all for the answers. I’ll try to be patient and wait until the time I can go to confession, yet is is so hard. Also thanks for the clarification puzzleannie . . . at this time it is a very hard choice between the Catholic and Orthodox churches so it may be a time before I come to a definite decision on the matter.
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be sure those who have been preparing you answer all your questions, or come here for specific questions, if we can help. Have you talked with the Orthodox priest yet? their requirements are quite strict and it often takes longer than a typical RCIA program in a Catholic Church. If you think we can help, what are the differences between the two that present issues for you?
 
As someone baptised in the Orthodox church I think you can go to a Roman Catholic confession:

Code of Canon Law, canon 844 §3: “Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the oriental churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed.”

The Directory on Ecumenism at ewtn.com/library/CURIA/pccuecu.htm has:
“125. Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and the anointing of the sick to members of the Eastern Churches, who ask for these sacraments of their own free will and are properly disposed. In these particular cases also, due consideration should be given to the discipline of the Eastern Churches for their own faithful and any suggestion of proselytism should be avoided. [footnote 129: Cf. CIC, can. 844, 3 and cf. n. 106 above.]”
 
puzzleannie said:
be sure those who have been preparing you answer all your questions, or come here for specific questions, if we can help. Have you talked with the Orthodox priest yet? their requirements are quite strict and it often takes longer than a typical RCIA program in a Catholic Church. If you think we can help, what are the differences between the two that present issues for you?
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The question that bothers me the most is the one concerning the pope. I must admit that I have more research on the Catholic faith than on the Orthodox faith, but am looking more into what the OC believes. I had brought this up yesterday on another thread. Some of the ECF’s were brought in such as Irenaus, Jerome, and Augustine. I’m going to look at these quotes in more detail.
Basically, I am unsure as whether or not the pope was meant to have so much authority over the church. The role of the pope developed after the time of the schism between the east and the west. That is the main issue because it would determine who has authority to interpret doctrine–Rome or the East? Right now it looks to me that the ECF’s support the position that the church is found where the Bishop of Rome is, and that would be the RCC.

It is just frustrating that, because of my situation, the only way I can get information is off of the internet. So I will be coming here as often as I can for answers to my questions.
 
Ary_girl said:
The question that bothers me the most is the one concerning the pope. I must admit that I have more research on the Catholic faith than on the Orthodox faith, but am looking more into what the OC believes. I had brought this up yesterday on another thread. Some of the ECF’s were brought in such as Irenaus, Jerome, and Augustine. I’m going to look at these quotes in more detail.
Basically, I am unsure as whether or not the pope was meant to have so much authority over the church. The role of the pope developed after the time of the schism between the east and the west. That is the main issue because it would determine who has authority to interpret doctrine–Rome or the East? Right now it looks to me that the ECF’s support the position that the church is found where the Bishop of Rome is, and that would be the RCC.

It is just frustrating that, because of my situation, the only way I can get information is off of the internet. So I will be coming here as often as I can for answers to my questions.
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The question of papal authority is one that has seperated the church for nearly a millenia. It is currently the topic of conversation between the two communions, Catholic and Orthodox.

They released a joint document just last October. It is worth reading because it has mich to do with your question…
orthodoxeurope.org/page/14/130.aspx#2

Subrosa
 
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