Do all Catholics have to confess?

[Lui]

I had a discussion about confession with former Catholics(at least I’m not sure how Catholic they still are).

I insisted as a Catholic you have to confess and then the priest gives you a penance.

They argued that that is old fashioned and nowadays many Catholics don’t have to confess anymore. My Catholicism view is conservative.

I was pretty sure up until now that ALL Catholics have to confess and it doesn’t depend on where you live and what kind of Catholic you are.
They told me that they were raised Catholic and not once did they have to confess nor did the topic of confession even ever come up. According to them it’s enough if you regret your sins in a personal prayer to God.

Am I missing something?

(Btw, I’n not sure if I posted the question in the right place)

 

[beleg]

All Catholics are obligated to go to Confession at least once a year. This hasn’t changed.

There are a lot of Catholics who wish that the Church would let them do whatever they want to do - this too has not changed.

I cannot understand why people wouldn’t want to take advantage of the spiritual cleansing that the sacrament offers; perhaps they’re uncomfortable admitting that they’ve sinned in the presence of a priest, or perhaps it’s pride, or some other bad reason. The fact remains, however: yes, all Catholics still have to go at least once a year - and Lent’s a great time to do it.

 

[Stephen_says]

Yes.
The Church has not changed it’s position on this.
The only ordinary way to have our mortal sins removed is through the sacrament of Reconciliation. (I say ‘ordinary’ because there are some extraordinary circumstances, like perfect contrition or general absolution, but these should not be relied upon, as they are sort of a worst-case scenario kind of thing)
As the previous poster said, if we claim to be a Catholic in good standing, we are obliged to confess at least once a year.

Peace

 

[Johann_du_Toit]

All Catholics are obligated to go to Confession at least once a year. This hasn’t changed.

There are a lot of Catholics who wish that the Church would let them do whatever they want to do - this too has not changed.

I cannot understand why people wouldn’t want to take advantage of the spiritual cleansing that the sacrament offers; perhaps they’re uncomfortable admitting that they’ve sinned in the presence of a priest, or perhaps it’s pride, or some other bad reason. The fact remains, however: yes, all Catholics still have to go at least once a year - and Lent’s a great time to do it.

Correct,

Most priests advise confession at least once a month if possible.

The more frequent the better, as it helps you get rid of, or at least reduce, bad habits and repeat sins.

 

[Vasallus]

Correct,

Most priests advise confession at least once a month if possible.

The more frequent the better, as it helps you get rid of, or at least reduce, bad habits and repeat sins.

Plus it’s a grace filled sacrament. Why wouldn’t you want to receive that as often as you can?

As far as the “old fashioned” argument, I once saw a priest on camera say that Hell and Satan were both old fashioned ideas. So, there’s wrong information out there.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I had a discussion about confession with former Catholics(at least I’m not sure how Catholic they still are).

I insisted as a Catholic you have to confess and then the priest gives you a penance.

They argued that that is old fashioned and nowadays many Catholics don’t have to confess anymore. My Catholicism view is conservative.

I was pretty sure up until now that ALL Catholics have to confess and it doesn’t depend on where you live and what kind of Catholic you are.
They told me that they were raised Catholic and not once did they have to confess nor did the topic of confession even ever come up. According to them it’s enough if you regret your sins in a personal prayer to God.

Am I missing something?

(Btw, I’n not sure if I posted the question in the right place)

Your friends are confused. I am certain that they received First Reconciliation before their first communion; however, due to abysmal catechesis in some areas and well-intentioned but erring communications from priests, peers, liturgists, etc. over the last few decades, they probably were indeed told that "unless you have a mortal sin you don’t need to confess, and it’s really HAARRRD to commit mortal sin because, really, when you do a naughty like have sex outside of marriage, were you really intending to cut off your relationship with God? You weren’t, WERE you? So you didn’t really give full CONSENT to sinning, it’s not a mortal sin. Just tell God oopsie. The “Big Guy’ just wants you to be happy and anyway, it’s not like you were HURTING anybody, right?”

Unfortunately especially with those who consider themselves not just Catholics, but GOOD Catholics (who go to Mass at LEAST at Christmas and Easter, feel all ‘spiritual’ when they see a sunset, and contribute heavily to campaigns to save puppies and kittens), it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to convince them that they have misunderstood. Rather, YOU are seen as ‘rigid, hidebound, medieval, controlling, bigoted, hateful, caught up in the rules and completely UNLIKE Good Pope Francis. Who are YOU to judge them? etc.’

Best thing to do is to go to confession regularly yourself, pray for them, and enjoy developing a relationship with God. Sooner or later, if you do, and sooner or later, as their sense of ego starts to twinge with approaching age and worry about ‘the last things’, they’re going to wonder why YOU’RE serene, and they, despite all the soothing talk they’ve had about just talking with God --aren’t. That’s when a gentle mention that regular confession just helps your relationship with God and your understanding of your ‘faith journey’ might start to bear fruit.

 

[paperwight66]

Catholics are obliged to confess their MORTAL sins, at least once a year.

It is not correct to say that all Catholics have to confess. if they have not committed any mortal sins. Venial sins do not have to be confessed, but doing so is highly recommended.

See Canon Law 989.

The trouble is, some catechisms simplified the Canon Law to the point that they were giving a wrong teaching. In fact, my parish priest says that he would not be able to find enough time for hearing confessions if all the parishioners followed the (wrong) teaching that all venial sins had to be confessed.

 

[ajecphotos]

Of course we need confession! Blimey, i have been nearly every week since the beginning of December last year!!

 

[Vasallus]

Catholics are obliged to confess their MORTAL sins, at least once a year.

It is not correct to say that all Catholics have to confess. if they have not committed any mortal sins. Venial sins do not have to be confessed, but doing so is highly recommended.

See Canon Law 989.

The trouble is, some catechisms simplified the Canon Law to the point that they were giving a wrong teaching. In fact, my parish priest says that he would not be able to find enough time for hearing confessions if all the parishioners followed the (wrong) teaching that all venial sins had to be confessed.

What a horrible problem for a parish priest to have.

 

[captainrick]

When they say we “Catholics don’t have to confess anymore,” I’ll bet they really mean “Lots of Catholics don’t bother with confession anymore.”

 

[Corki]

Catholics are obliged to confess their MORTAL sins, at least once a year.

It is not correct to say that all Catholics have to confess. if they have not committed any mortal sins. Venial sins do not have to be confessed, but doing so is highly recommended.

See Canon Law 989.

The trouble is, some catechisms simplified the Canon Law to the point that they were giving a wrong teaching. In fact, my parish priest says that he would not be able to find enough time for hearing confessions if all the parishioners followed the (wrong) teaching that all venial sins had to be confessed.

Not to be picky but the canon says “grave sins” not mortal sins. Because gravity is only one of the three conditions for mortal sin, far more people fall under the requirement to confess annually than if you just look at mortal sins.

 

[Stephen_says]

Not to be picky but the canon says “grave sins” not mortal sins. Because gravity is only one of the three conditions for mortal sin, far more people fall under the requirement to confess annually than if you just look at mortal sins.

John Paul II wrote:

…some fathers proposed a threefold distinction of sins, classifying them as venial, grave and mortal. This threefold distinction might illustrate the fact that there is a scale of seriousness among grave sins. But it still remains true that the essential and decisive distinction is between sin which destroys charity and sin which does not kill the supernatural life: There is no middle way between life and death. . . .

Considering sin from the point of view of its matter, the ideas of death, of radical rupture with God, the supreme good, of deviation from the path that leads to God or interruption of the journey toward him (which are all ways of defining mortal sin) are linked with the idea of the gravity of sin’s objective content. Hence, in the church’s doctrine and pastoral action, grave sin is in practice identified with mortal sin.

jimmyakin.com/2010/05/grave-sin-mortal-sin.html

 

[Vasallus]

John Paul II wrote:

…some fathers proposed a threefold distinction of sins, classifying them as venial, grave and mortal. This threefold distinction might illustrate the fact that there is a scale of seriousness among grave sins. But it still remains true that the essential and decisive distinction is between sin which destroys charity and sin which does not kill the supernatural life: There is no middle way between life and death. . . .

Considering sin from the point of view of its matter, the ideas of death, of radical rupture with God, the supreme good, of deviation from the path that leads to God or interruption of the journey toward him (which are all ways of defining mortal sin) are linked with the idea of the gravity of sin’s objective content. Hence, in the church’s doctrine and pastoral action, grave sin is in practice identified with mortal sin.

jimmyakin.com/2010/05/grave-sin-mortal-sin.html

I was looking for that. Glad you found it. There are some that like to split hairs - sliding scale. There is no sliding scale, no 3 types of sin. There’s mortal, then there’s everything else. I think sometimes people go out of there way to justify their own shortcomings.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Did this get answered? Because I myself have heard conflicting things. If Fred Doe has no mortal sins to confess, is he obliged to go to confession once a year regardless? I am confused on this point.

So theoretically you could go 30 years without confessing if you’ve committed no mortal sins?

 

[Ignatius]

I had a discussion about confession with former Catholics(at least I’m not sure how Catholic they still are).

I insisted as a Catholic you have to confess and then the priest gives you a penance.

They argued that that is old fashioned and nowadays many Catholics don’t have to confess anymore. My Catholicism view is conservative.

I was pretty sure up until now that ALL Catholics have to confess and it doesn’t depend on where you live and what kind of Catholic you are.
They told me that they were raised Catholic and not once did they have to confess nor did the topic of confession even ever come up. According to them it’s enough if you regret your sins in a personal prayer to God.

Am I missing something?

(Btw, I’n not sure if I posted the question in the right place)

The Authentic Teaching of The Catholic Church is that we must confess at lease once per year.

 

[Thomas1981]

Yes. Confession is one of the best things about the Catholic Church. Staying faithful and away from sin is very hard. Doesn’t everyone need a helping hand? Confession means an ongoing commitment between you, God (and his Spirit via the priest), and the entire Church. You need help! Don’t be afraid to ask for it! I was Lutheran for many years before becoming Catholic and I can’t imagine a Church without confession now. It’s not just an obligation but an incredible opportunity. It’s like an ongoing support system for you. After confession, going to take the Eucharist is like a great reward, you can take it without the lingering sense of misgiving due to sin. When I was a kid, and my mom washed my bed sheet, I would always take a shower before because it felt so good to be fresh and clean and then getting into a nice clean bed. Going to confession is like getting nice and clean before taking the gift of God. How can it be any better?!

 

[revert_jen]

As far as the “old fashioned” argument, I once saw a priest on camera say that Hell and Satan were both old fashioned ideas. So, there’s wrong information out there.

There’s nothing inaccurate about that.

The inaccurate part is thinking that “old fashioned=wrong.”

The ideas of Hell and Satan are old fashioned, in the sense that they are not the current fashion. But both Hell and Satan exist, regardless of fashions in thought.

As for Confession, if the former Catholics haven’t ever been, they either haven’t ever received First Communion or Confirmation, or for sure they didn’t grow up in my diocese. You had to have first Confession before first Communion.

–Jen

 

[Kaliaa]

In order to dispel confusion… from the Code of Canon Law 1983:

“Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.”

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3H.HTM

As has been previously stated, “grave sin” equates to mortal sin.

Catholics are not required to confess venial sins at all although it is a very good idea as is going to confession frequently (once a month, perhaps) even if one hasn’t committed a mortal sin.

 

[paperwight66]

Did this get answered? Because I myself have heard conflicting things. If Fred Doe has no mortal sins to confess, is he obliged to go to confession once a year regardless? I am confused on this point.

So theoretically you could go 30 years without confessing if you’ve committed no mortal sins?

Correct.

 

[Vasallus]

There’s nothing inaccurate about that.

The inaccurate part is thinking that “old fashioned=wrong.”

The ideas of Hell and Satan are old fashioned, in the sense that they are not the current fashion. But both Hell and Satan exist, regardless of fashions in thought.

–Jen

There we go…splitting hairs. I thought my post was pretty clear.