Have you confessed all your sins?

[YourNameHere]

I am trying to decide whether to go to my parish priest or to go elsewhere to another parish to talk to a priest there. I need to consult with a priest about confession. I have two fears at this point, one is that when I go outside of my parish, the priest there will ask why I am not going to my parish priest. The other fear is that if I do go to my parish priest, he will say, why are we talking, lets go to the confessional right now.
Yes, I know these all are excuses and I am sure that the devil probably is behind it all, but I am trying to get my mind straight in order to make a successful confession when I do get to it.

 

[Mtatum1958]

You are correct, those are just fear. I’m sure many people go to confession outside of their parish and the priest isn’t interested in why. A priest most likely won’t try to force you into confession.

 

[Raphaelle]

As for your fear that the priest will ask you to confess st your appt, if that happens, just tell the priest that you’d like to get in line at regular confession time and get behind the screen. If your appt is right before confession time, you can do it right after. (Also, call and make sure he parish has a screen, if you want one! Most parishes do, where I live, but some don’t.).

He won’t think you’re odd if you’re not a member. But even if he did, it’s a small price to get right with God.

As an aside, a friend of mine has several very good priest friends. While they can never reveal what is said in confession, what they really find rewarding is to hear the serious confession of a serious sinner. They became priests to bring souls back to God from the jaws of evil. If you have done evil things and you confess them to the priest, you let him know that he has made a real difference in the world by becoming a priest.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I have two fears at this point, one is that when I go outside of my parish, the priest there will ask why I am not going to my parish priest.

The minute you say “I haven’t been to confession for 40 years” he will know why you aren’t going to a parish priest and moreover, he’s not going to ask you that. He’s going to try to help you so you don’t get nervous and run off.