Do I have to confess sins I did a long time ago as a Protestant, when I've already confessed to God and thought it was dead and buried?

[FrDavid96]

Reply:

My dear friends in Christ,

The Catholic Church and our Magistrium, do not permit one who wishes to be an informed practcing Roman Catholic, to “pick and choose” what we “would like” to obey, and disreguard things that we don’t understand, or things which are inconvient to us.

The RCC teaches that use of conterceptives, even in married sex, is forbidden, because God Himself tell us the "He is the author of all life and death issues."Conterceptive sex is a Serious sin, that if knowingly practiced seperates us from a relationship with God, and makes us ineligible to receive Holy Communion worthily. Because it removes God’s right to decide.

One may not assume the “right” to do what God Himself, through His Church, tells is a wrong and a grave moral evil.’

There are approved methods for “spacing children,” that are both safe and effective and do not inhibit Gods SOLE right to determine pregnancy.

One may not assume to know more or know better than God and the Magistrium.

God’s continued Blessings,
PJM m.c.

PJM,

I must come to Methodi’s defense here.

The poster was not at all suggesting the use of artificial birth control, but rather simply stating a fact that many Catholics struggle with the issue, and the fact that many/some disregard it.

Stating the fact is not the same thing as suggesting disobedience or suggesting sin.

 

[mesl4]

QUOTE=PJM;4334669]Reply:
My dear friend of Christ,
You post from your heart, and that is wonderful. Still, I’m confused about what you means about the “go betweens”.

Things like asking Mary for things that we could ask God for. “Flying to Mary’s protection” (Hail Holy Queen prayer) when we could fly to God’s, confessing to a priest/needing a priests forgiveness in order to get forgivness from God., needing a priest for communion, instead of being able to institute that myself in my home w/family, going to hell/sinning for missing Mass, when I could just stay home a worship God and have church w/family some days. , etc. etc. etc.

Please remember that all seven Sacraments “were instituted”

by Jesus Himself

They were? If so, I thought they were instituted by him, for him to mediate, not for priests to mediate.

You speak of a lack of intimacy. I simply don’t understand what exactly are your concerns.

Again, having all these others to go to before or in addition or in between me and Jesus.

If you wish for the GREATEST intimacy with Jesus, this side of Heaven, become a RCC and receive the very same Jesus you are speaking about, not only into your heart, your spirit, but into your VERY BODY, where you become One with God." Not a sign, not a simple symbol, but the very same Jesus born of Mary, who died on the cross, rose fron the dead, and now in His Glorified Body, no longer restricted by human restraints, that very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of that very same Jesus. WOW Speak about intimacy!!! That my friend is intimacy, that my friend is Heaven on earth. Amen!

That does sound cool, (aside from the cannibalistic aspect), but I don’t see how that’s closer than having him w/me in Spirit always. It seems like one more thing to make me feel like I’m missing some part of Christ if I don’t go to church, when he said he’d be w/us ALWAYS (HOly Spirit). The only extra closeness I wish I could have is to hug him and talk to him in person right now, but I can’t do that w/the Eucharist. I understand we’re not supposed to touch it during adoration. If it were really his body, I’d want to get a giant loaf and hold it all day and night, and sleep w/it, wear it around my neck (like I guess some used to do), etc. Why can’t we take some home w/us if it’s really him? I could dress up a life size piece in a white robe and keep it on my couch. HOw cool would that be?

 

[Methodi]

PJM,

I must come to Methodi’s defense here.

The poster was not at all suggesting the use of artificial birth control, but rather simply stating a fact that many Catholics struggle with the issue, and the fact that many/some disregard it.

Stating the fact is not the same thing as suggesting disobedience or suggesting sin.

Thank You Father David

 

[FrDavid96]

Things like asking Mary for things that we could ask God for. “Flying to Mary’s protection” (Hail Holy Queen prayer) when we could fly to God’s, confessing to a priest/needing a priests forgiveness in order to get forgivness from God., needing a priest for communion, instead of being able to institute that myself in my home w/family, going to hell/sinning for missing Mass, when I could just stay home a worship God and have church w/family some days. , etc. etc. etc.

They were? If so, I thought they were instituted by him, for him to mediate, not for priests to mediate.

Again, having all these others to go to before or in addition or in between me and Jesus.

That does sound cool, (aside from the cannibalistic aspect), but I don’t see how that’s closer than having him w/me in Spirit always. It seems like one more thing to make me feel like I’m missing some part of Christ if I don’t go to church, when he said he’d be w/us ALWAYS (HOly Spirit). The only extra closeness I wish I could have is to hug him and talk to him in person right now, but I can’t do that w/the Eucharist. I understand we’re not supposed to touch it during adoration. If it were really his body, I’d want to get a giant loaf and hold it all day and night, and sleep w/it, wear it around my neck (like I guess some used to do), etc. Why can’t we take some home w/us if it’s really him? I could dress up a life size piece in a white robe and keep it on my couch. HOw cool would that be?

Mesl4:
I believe I understand what you’re getting at. I believe I understand precisely what you’re getting at.

I hope and pray that your participation in these forums will lead you, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to become a member of the One and only True Church founded by Christ. I hope and pray. Many have made that same journey before you in much the same way; you are not alone.

 

[quiet52]

I’m still debating over converting to Catholocism, and I’d really like to go to confession now (I"m in RCIA now), just to get an idea of what the priest says about my sins/past, and what kind of penance I’d be told to do, etc.

Would I need to confess sins from way back in my life? I was baptized at 17 yrs old and have committed mortal sins since then, which I agonized over and poured out my heart to God, and repented of years ago. Would I have to bring all that up again to the priest and do penance for that? I have to problem confessing all of that, but it seems wrong to have to do penance for something I’ve long since repented of and thought God had forgiven me for. What do you think?

What about mortal sins I am currently doing (using birth control) but I’m not really convinced they are mortal sins yet? Of course if I become Catholic, I will abide by the Catholic ways of life, but just wondering if once I become Catholic, if I have to do penance and confess using Birth Control while a Protestant. Thanks

To the OP:

Previous posters have adequately answered your question about confessing old sins (“yes”). Accepting our penance is an act of humility and we shouldn’t dread it.

You are not yet prepared to receive this sacrament, which is one of reconciliation not only between the penitent and God, but between the penitent and the Church.

Yes, before you are received into the Church, you must have this sacrament, and be free from all mortal sin. But you can only participate if you’re sure you want to become Catholic.
]
In RCIA, you would generally participate in the Rite of Welcoming, which is a liturgical rite during a Mass in which you are committing to participate in intense catechesis about the faith. You will be helped in gaining a fuller understanding – the why’s and wherefore’s – of the faith, including why certain acts are mortal sins (choices to separate ourselves from God), and why are venial sins (acts which injure our relationship with God and others).

When you’re pretty darn sure you want to be Catholic, and have decided to leave your former faith behind, you would participate in the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion – usually on the First Sunday of Lent. After this, you would continue being catechized about the faith, but you would also need to be sure that you want to accept and assent to all the teachings of the Catholic Church, and to live them. You would have an intense period of spiritual preparation for the sacraments. It is during this period that you would discern you are ready for the jump, and the RCIA leader would help you to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation (also called Confession).

This is the only time non-Catholics are allowed to participate in this sacrament and be absolved for their mortal sins. You would have received this temporary “right” to this sacrament from the liturgical rites I’ve mentioned above – but you must first be properly disposed.

You are not yet ready to acknowledge what the Church teaches about which sins are mortal and to express sorrow and firm amendment of purpose (an intent not to commit them again). You indicate this by saying are not yet ready to give up contraception.

Keep praying and learning!

from the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 987 To receive the salvific remedy of the sacrament of penance, a member of the Christian faithful must be disposed in such a way that, rejecting sins committed and having a purpose of amendment, the person is turned back to God.

Can. 988 §1. A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all grave sins committed after baptism and not yet remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience.

§2. It is recommended to the Christian faithful that they also confess venial sins.

 

[PJM]

PJM,

I must come to Methodi’s defense here.

The poster was not at all suggesting the use of artificial birth control, but rather simply stating a fact that many Catholics struggle with the issue, and the fact that many/some disregard it.

Stating the fact is not the same thing as suggesting disobedience or suggesting sin.

Reply:

Thanks for the post:blush:

Truly sorry. I was not bring judgemental, rather I seizing the opportunity to articulate the RCC position on a matter not always understood.

Again thanks for your post.
PJM

 

[mesl4]

To the OP:

You are not yet ready to acknowledge what the Church teaches about which sins are mortal and to express sorrow and firm amendment of purpose (an intent not to commit them again). You indicate this by saying are not yet ready to give up contraception.

.

I know I have not accepted the RC as the true church. Once/If I do, I will gladly give up birth control since I will believe it is God’s will. Now, it’s technically not a mortal sin since apparently a mortal sin needs to be when you know it’s a mortal sin/with full knowledge, etc. I don’t know it is . I know you teach that, but I am acting in good conscience at this time.

Also, is the “pull out” method considered a sin? How is it any different using NFP than pull out/condoms? All of them are using a method to prevent conception,and none of them kill a fertilized egg.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I know I have not accepted the RC as the true church. Once/If I do, I will gladly give up birth control since I will believe it is God’s will. Now, it’s technically not a mortal sin since apparently a mortal sin needs to be when you know it’s a mortal sin/with full knowledge, etc. I don’t know it is . I know you teach that, but I am acting in good conscience at this time.

Also, is the “pull out” method considered a sin? How is it any different using NFP than pull out/condoms? All of them are using a method to prevent conception,and none of them kill a fertilized egg.

Be very careful that by “acting in good conscience” you don’t really mean “believing what I want to believe.” I did this for many years myself, and I now know I was wrong, and I am grateful for God’s mercy received through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

And yes, the “pull out” method is a sin (besides being very ineffective, whereas Natural Family Planning has a very high rate of effectiveness when practiced properly).

I quote from Christopher West’s book Good News About Sex and Marriage, which I again urge you to read (italics are in the original):

… Contraception is the choice by any means to impede the procreative potential of a given act of intercourse. In other words, the contracepting couple chooses to engage in intercourse, and foreseeing that their act may result in a new life, they *intentionally *and *willfully *suppress their fertility …

This can be done by employing a large variety of artificial devices and hormones, or by sterilizing surgical procedures. It can also be done without employing anything artificial at all, such as in the practice of withdrawal …

Furthermore, the Church approves of NFP (when there is just reason to avoid pregnancy) not because it’s “natural” as opposed to “artificial,” but because it’s in no way contraceptive. Never does the couple practicing NFP choose to impede the procreative potential of a given act of intercourse — ever. NFP is not “natural contraception.” It’s not contraception at all.

 

[PJM]

I know I have not accepted the RC as the true church.

Also, is the “pull out” method considered a sin? How is it any different using NFP than pull out/condoms? All of them are using a method to prevent conception,and none of them kill a fertilized egg.

Thanks for asking such thoughtful questions.

Reply:
Gen. Chapter 38: 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” (Picture) 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife he spilled the semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother. 10 And what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD, and he slew him also.

“NFP” is different in that it make use of ones God given furtile cycles, and not a physical impediment. One relies on God and is thus approved, the other methods rely on mankind, and are focused on self.

As to the question of condoms and pills, not killing the egg.

Answer: if i starve you to death, is it still murder? Yep!
God’s continued Blessings,
PJM m.c.