How to convince catholics the need for confession

[maklavan]

A starting point might be to stop using the term"confession" it makes a person feel like a rotten criminal forced to confess his crimes instead of which each person is a child of God, redeemed by the Blood of Jesus and a person of great worth. The Church has done its best by substituting the terms"Reconciliation" or “penance”. there are still Catholics who want to hide in the dark and confess a list of wrongdoings like fearful children, instead of seeking reconciliation and growth.

 

[mangy_dog]

The biggest person I have a problem with is my sister. She won’t come out and say why she won’t go to the priest, but I suspect it’s because of the scandal. She keeps saying “I can’t go to a man to confess. I confess to God.” Which sounds very protestant to me, and makes me mad. And of course I do the whole spiel with bible verses and proof from the bible, etc. She just refuses to answer and repeats the “I can’t go to a man” line again.

I have been doing some thinking about this. My sister was/is in the military. She’s a reserve now. I have heard that many catholics in the military are often ‘attacked’ by protestants, that there is a lot of protestant pressure in the military, etc. She knows a lot of protestants, often brings up protestant ideas and theologies. IMO she doesn’t know enough about the catholic faith she was blessed to be raised in, and lets these protestants influence her a bit too much. She’s got this idea that she doesn’t have to follow certain concepts and teachings because she doesn’t agree with them. And imo, because it contradicts some sort of sins that she is steeped in. Rather than change the sin, let’s change the church so I can feel better.

This bothers me so much. Very early on in my reversion to the church, I realized that I had to empty myself and be open to the truths of the church. Even if I didn’t agree with the teachings, I believed the church held the truth and if it was true I had to accept it. So I did.

Too many catholics just won’t take that attitude. Ego gets in the way. Too many think they know better and that they don’t have to accept the truth.

The real issue is how do you get to that heart of the matter and change that opinion?

I love the results of confession. It is true grace, true freedom. But I gotta be honest, I get nervous and worked up about it, and drag my feet about going, etc. It is scarey. But I persist, I endure, and I obey. Because the results and the rewards are great. It saddens me that i can’t get that through to these so-called catholics.They are only hurting themselves.

I hear you my friend and you are right, it is frustrating. All that’s left is to pray.
You go on being a real catholic and pray for those who think they are… especially your sister.
Sometimes “tough love” is what’s required. I suggest that you don’t bring up the subject with her anymore. She will notice but let her stew in her own juices for a while until she actually asks you why your not saying anything. When that day comes, simply tell her that you’re done talking to her and that now you are talking to God so that He will turn her into a real catholic and not just a make believe one.
If that gets a reaction out of her remember, don’t argue, just pray - let her see you moving your lips in silence and keep your peace.
His sign over us is peace.

I promise you, I am going thru the same thing with my 23 y/o daughter and my 21 y/o son.
I will keep you in my prayers my friend. Fight the good fight!

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.