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lifeline
Guest
Can I go to confession even though I’m not Catholic yet? I feel real guilty about some things & I really want to go. Thanks.
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space_ghost
Guest
you most certainly can… it is a wonderful healing experience… just let the priest know that your not Catholic… it will make a more pleasureable experience for the both of you… come on in the water is fine… 
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ktm
Guest
Here is what the Code of Canon Law says regarding your question:
Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.
§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.
§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.
§4. 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.
§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.
So it would seem that space ghost is not entirely correct. Are you in danger of death? It sounds like from your post you are on your way to becoming Catholic. Are you in RCIA? You must approach the Sacraments very carefully. I recommend you post your question on the Ask an Apologist board for a more authoritative answer.
But it is clear: not just anyone can approach a priest to have one’s confession heard.
Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.
§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.
§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.
§4. 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.
§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.
So it would seem that space ghost is not entirely correct. Are you in danger of death? It sounds like from your post you are on your way to becoming Catholic. Are you in RCIA? You must approach the Sacraments very carefully. I recommend you post your question on the Ask an Apologist board for a more authoritative answer.
But it is clear: not just anyone can approach a priest to have one’s confession heard.
T
threej_lc
Guest
KTM is correct in that unless you are in danger of death, or in full communion with the Catholic church, confession is not sacramentally binding. However, there is no rule that says you cannot go anyway, let the priest know you are not a catholic, confess your sins, and have him pray for you non-sacramentally. Although it lacks the sacramental authority of the church, God is merciful and forgiving through his ministers!
Josh
Josh
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threej_lc
Guest
I forgot to add something.
You say you “are not catholic YET.” The following is a bit legalistic:
If you have completed each of the following:
But since the Rite of Acceptance isn’t for quite a while yet, I doubt this is the case.
Josh
You say you “are not catholic YET.” The following is a bit legalistic:
If you have completed each of the following:
- Validly baptised from another christian church
- Are going through the RCIA process as a candidate for confirmation to join the Catholic church
- Have gone through the right of acceptance by the bishop as required by all RCIA candidates
But since the Rite of Acceptance isn’t for quite a while yet, I doubt this is the case.
Josh
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lifeline
Guest
I actually went through RCIA 3 years ago. I went through the right of acceptance(I think. I went to the cathedral where the bishop blessed the oils). I also went to confession, but then decided I wasnt’ ready to join the Church.
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deogratias
Guest
Lifeline - I’d make an appointment with a priest, explain it to him. While you may be able to confess, he may not be able to grant absolution. But in either case, it sounds like you could benefit from the council of a priest rather than us.
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flick427
Guest
Yes, and if you are ready for the church, than I am sure Our Lord would love to have you!
God Bless
God Bless
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theMutant
Guest
ktm is basically correct and this is why, I believe, that space ghost instructed that you let the priest know that you are not yet Catholic. You cannot yet receive the Sacrament, but you can approach the priest to bare your sould and to receive his advice. I know that Fr. Benedict Groeshel has stated that he often gets many Protestants and Jews coming to him in the confessional; especially on Ash Wednesday. The reason he knows this is because they advise him that they are not Catholics.
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