Do you have to go to your parish for confession?

[juliegh23]

Can you go to any CC for reconciliation, or does it have to be your own? What if your on vacation?

 

[alyssa]

You can go to any CC

 

[Bobby_Jim]

Yeah, any church will do… you may find that your parish priest is not the most helpful confessor, and that a priest at another parish offers better guidance, or whatever. The sacramental grace is independent of the priest (who, by virtue of his ordination, is acting in the person of Christ). The advice or penance that you get will depend on the individual priest’s style and spiritual gifts.

And sometimes you will just be moved to go at sometime other than your parish’s regularly scheduled hours, and another church may have something more convenient. So by all means, take advantage of it.

 

[kaygee]

it’s really helpful to try to get the same confessor every time, tho – makes for better and better direction. :twocents:

and it helps prevent reptition of the same thing over and over – more than once I’ve gotten away from a temptation by thinking, Oh, boy, I’m going to have to tell Father that AGAIN if I do it. . .

 

[gardenswithkids]

I prefer to go to another parish that offers it on a weekday. I frequently see people from my parish there. But I have a nagging internal feeling that I should go to my own, even if it’s less convenient.

I basically just want to get the absolution and graces. Spiritual direction might be a plus, (but not if I don’t go.)

I’d love to read more opinions on this and experiences that people have had with different confessors. I know this sounds weird, but confession is one of my favorite things about being Catholic.

 

[KCT]

I believe canon law protects your right to go to confession anywhere you choose (that’s Roman Catholic, of course!). —KCT

 

[Joe_Kelley]

KCT:

I believe canon law protects your right to go to confession anywhere you choose (that’s Roman Catholic, of course!). —KCT

Not sure what you mean by Roman Catholic - are you distinguishing from Eastern Catholic or from Eastern Orthodox? To the best of my knowledge you can even go to an Eastern Catholic Church. I have gone to an Eastern Priest, at a convention, and know Eastern Catholics who often go to Western priests.

 

[CatholicNerd]

Joe Kelley:

Not sure what you mean by Roman Catholic - are you distinguishing from Eastern Catholic or from Eastern Orthodox? To the best of my knowledge you can even go to an Eastern Catholic Church. I have gone to an Eastern Priest, at a convention, and know Eastern Catholics who often go to Western priests.

Any Catholic may receive the Mystery of Penance in ANY Catholic church, regardless of his or her ritual status. Catholic is Catholic