Do mortal sins committed prior to baptism need to be confessed?

[Imcatholic7]

So I know that baptism forgives ALL sins, Original and personal. However, is it required/ would be a good idea to confess mortal sins (that were committed before baptism) after being baptized or is there no need to? Thanks!

 

[Fr.Eric_Filmer]

Hello imcatholic7.

As a free gift of God’s grace, baptism completely cleanses one of all sins, including mortal sins. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

1263: By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam’s sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God.

Hence, there is no need to confess any offense (mortal or venial) which was committed prior to baptism. Simply put, confessing such sins would be a pointless endeavor. It would be like me having a truck that got dirty during a camping trip last year, getting it 100% spotless and clean, and then later wanting to clean it again because I’m worried that it may still be dirty from last year’s camping trip.

Keep in mind that Reconciliation (i.e., going to confession) is the sacrament which provides the ordinary means for the forgiveness of sins committed after baptism. People who are concerned about things they did prior to being baptized are encouraged to “let them go” and trust in God’s mercy.