Forcing parents to go to confession?

[Walking_Home]

You can say, “Bless me Father for I am a sinner. My last Confession was yesterday. A sin from my past that I regret deeply is … For this and for all the sins of my life, I am truly sorry.”

Or you could say, “Bless me Father for I am a sinner. My last Confession was yesterday. A bad habit that I am continually struggling with is … For this and for all the sins of my life, I am truly sorry.”

Maybe the idea behind the exercise is to instill the idea that everyone goes to Confession - and to begin a habit of family attendance at Confession. But I agree that instead of being “required” it should be “strongly recommended,” because normally, if you have nothing to confess, you don’t need to go. And if the child, after sincerely examining her conscience, finds that she has no mortal sins to confess, is also not “required” to go, although it is certainly highly recommended that she confess her venial sins and/or her struggles, if she has no mortal sins to confess.

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ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/FIRSTCC.HTM#III.%20Responsum

III. Responsum
Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and Sacred Congregation for the Clergy Reply to a query on first confession and first communion, 20 May 1977: AAS 69 (1977) 427; Not 13 (1977) 603

After the Declaration of 24 May 1973, is it still lawful for first communion to precede first confession as a general rule in those parishes where this practice has been in force for the last several years? The Congregations for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and for the Clergy, with the approval of Pope Paul Vl, have replied:

No, in accord with the mind of the Declaration.

That mind is that a year from promulgation of the Declaration there be an end to all experiments in which first communion is received without prior reception of the sacrament of penance and that the discipline of the Church return to the spirit of the Decree Quam singulari.

V. Catechism of the Catholic Church
Pope John Paul II (1994)

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

 

[jmcrae]

Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

Okay - I didn’t know that, before - I was under the impression that Confession is only required for Mortal Sins, but strongly recommended at least once a year, and of course before the reception of First Holy Communion.

All the more important why the parent who has “nothing to confess” should set the example for the child.

 

[Evan]

Okay - I didn’t know that, before - I was under the impression that Confession is only required for Mortal Sins, but strongly recommended at least once a year, and of course before the reception of First Holy Communion.

The precepts of the church REQUIRE that you go to confession once a year, mortal sins or no.
CCC paragraph 2041:

The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

CCC paragraph 2042:

The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.

 

[jmcrae]

The precepts of the church REQUIRE that you go to confession once a year, mortal sins or no.

Okay, that’s good to know.

For me, it’s not an issue because I go to Confession at least once a month, whether I need it or not, as our local Bishop has recommended.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Ok, That however is still not allowed to “require” anyone to go to Confession.

You simply go in and say: Bless me Father, I’m not here for Confession. I was told I was required to be here. Did you see that game last night? …

This is exactly what I would say- or “How’d you like the paint job in the gym” or “Did you get your new race engine”.

I’m sorry, but alleged psychology to the contrary, I would be angry about being “forced” to go, esp. If I was a EMCH who regularly went to confession.

I have a regular “tee time” to go to confession, and when my granddaughter makes hers in January, it will not be a “family moment”. I think it is wrong to make a parade out of the scarament, either to give the children some psychological benefit, or to have some sort of sweet representation of the sacrament as a family. It’s kind of phoney, and it makes it in my opinion more a bigger thing than it need be.

Our parish has suggested as preparation for our children’s FHC, the parents or guardians volunteer to become EMHC. We already have a herd of too many of them every Sunday Mass, so no, we will not be doing that, either.

 

[Sir_Knight]

The precepts of the church REQUIRE that you go to confession once a year, mortal sins or no.

I said the exact same thing on this forum and a few folks quoted church documents showing that was incorrect. I believe the thread might have been lost during the CAF crash of 2006.

 

[Sir_Knight]

The precepts of the church REQUIRE that you go to confession once a year, mortal sins or no.

I said the exact same thing on this forum and a few folks quoted church documents showing that was incorrect. I believe the thread might have been lost during the CAF crash of 2006.

We are REQUIRED to receive communion at least once a year and we SHOULD go to confession at least once a year … CCC 2041-2043

 

[jmcrae]

I said the exact same thing on this forum and a few folks quoted church documents showing that was incorrect. I believe the thread might have been lost during the CAF crash of 2006.

I remember getting my head stomped on for saying the same thing, a while back.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I remember getting my head stomped on for saying the same thing, a while back.

Thanks. So it wasn’t just me.

 

[Pug]

We must confess our serious sins at least once a year as per canon law number 989. It is of the nature of an obligation. Also, we are to receive Eucharist at least in the Easter Season (confessing first, if needed).

If a person only has venial sins on their plate in the last year, it is my understanding that one is not obligated. I would anyway, though. I find the sacrament to be healthful. Also, we have:

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

This is trying to say about confession in general that it is good to also confess venial sins and not just the mortal ones. CIC988 section2.

 

[whatevergirl]

My daughter will be doing her first confession and first communon this school year and the director of religious education said that all parents are REQUIRED to go to confession with their child.

I have a bit of an issue with this. It isn’t the confession part because I’m a EMHC and I normally go to confession once a week (sometimes even twice a week) just before I distribute Holy Communion so that I can be as free from sin as possible but the fact that it is a REQUIREMENT on the part of the parents to go to confession.

Is this something new? How do others feel about this?

You know what…interesting you bring this up. There are so many parents my son tells me, that aren’t even attending mass, yet ‘expecting’ the church to walk their child through Confirmation…what does it mean to them? I think that it’s kind of cool for parents to be required to bring their children to Confession…a family that confesses together…stays together…oh, that’s pray together. Well, I think the same result can occur. If a parent expects his/her child to follow Church teachings…he/she should be happy to serve as a willing servant of Jesus, too…

My two cents…!

 

[whatevergirl]

Confession is a gift from God…don’t you want to open such a gift more than once per year?

It shouldn’t be required…ok…but, seeing that it is…what’s the big deal? I’m sure we can all find *something *to confess…no?

 

[Pug]

Has your child ever had the opportunity to observe you going to confession? I’m not a parent, so I don’t know how a parent would feel about having their young (before first confession) child wait in the pew while the parent goes into confession. Parents often seem protective.

This is how I learned everything as a child…by going everywhere with my parents/grandparents. I saw how to live. Maybe this is the big opportunity for some folks to safely leave their child in the pew, so to speak? I really dislike the idea of going to confession specifically to be watched, however. It seems cockeyed. Somehow it would seem more right to me to just have your child along when you naturally go, as you naturally bring your child about with you.

I’d rebel at being told I had to confess as you have, Sir Knight. But I have the luxury not being in your shoes. Do recall you have a canonical right to chose your own confessor, even from a different rite. How does that fit in here?

Just some thoughts.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I’m sure we can all find *something *to confess…no?

If I went the day before, hopefully I will NOT have anything serious to confess just 24 hours later.

 

[Sir_Knight]

We must confess our serious sins at least once a year as per canon law number 989. It is of the nature of an obligation. Also, we are to receive Eucharist at least in the Easter Season (confessing first, if needed).

If a person only has venial sins on their plate in the last year, it is my understanding that one is not obligated. I would anyway, though. I find the sacrament to be healthful. Also, we have:

This is trying to say about confession in general that it is good to also confess venial sins and not just the mortal ones. CIC988 section2.

Jesus is the light. The closer we draw to Him, the more clearly we see our faults and failings. The further we are from Him, the more in darkness we are where are faults and failings are less visible to us. It can be compared to someone getting dressed in a dark closet and someone getting dress in bright spotlights. The person in bright spotlights will see every wrinkle. The person getting dressed in the closet may not spot even very big stains.

That’s why Mother Theresa found serious sin to confess EVERY DAY. And that is also why some folks may go more than a year without confession and not be conscious of any serious sin

 

[Sir_Knight]

I’d rebel at being told I had to confess as you have, Sir Knight.

So you understand where I’m coming from

I can see that I’m going to have “issues” with this DRE because for confirmation they are required to do some kind of year-long volunteer project otherwise they will not get confirmed. I never had to do anything like this. Nor, is it required of those going through the RCIA program. So why require it of the school children?

 

[Explorer]

So you understand where I’m coming from

I can see that I’m going to have “issues” with this DRE because for confirmation they are required to do some kind of year-long volunteer project otherwise they will not get confirmed. I never had to do anything like this. Nor, is it required of those going through the RCIA program. So why require it of the school children?

That sounds more like the boy scouts.

 

[Karin]

So you understand where I’m coming from

I can see that I’m going to have “issues” with this DRE because for confirmation they are required to do some kind of year-long volunteer project otherwise they will not get confirmed. I never had to do anything like this. Nor, is it required of those going through the RCIA program. So why require it of the school children?

My son had to do this also…as he was just starting H.S. and was taking a heavy course load I told the DRE that this was not going to work…he also as part of his H.S. experience had to do community service (60hrs) each year. I was not going to saddle him with extra work when it is not REQUIRED!
She tried to buck me on it but I held firm…guess what he still got Confirmed without doing her EXTRA Community Service!
Also my understanding of WHY they require it is so they can give back to less fortunate and act/behave/practice their Catholic faith in the real world

 

[Explorer]

That’s nice, but the Church isn’t the boy scouts. It’s not a part of church law, they should be learning about what the church teaches. I don’t like it when religious ed directors try and embellish things like that. They might be will meaning but outside of their authority. Same with forcing the parents to go to confession.

 

[KCT]

Walking_Home:

Does the same hold true for marriage? I don’t remember if dh or I went to confession before our wedding. —KCT