Is confession really required?

[Kestrel003]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

 

[tobbias88]

Obviously if you are a Muslim, non-Catholic etc you can tell God you repent of the evil you did and hope to obtain forgiveness. But they still have to do reparation in this life or the next. With Confession(done properly) forgiveness is guaranteed.

Confession to a priest goes back to our understanding of Jesus’ words to the apostles in John 20:21-23 also the teaching of Paul that Christ has given MEN the ministry and word of reconciliation in 2 Cor 5:18-20. Confession of sins by itself is clearly taught in James 5:14-16 and 1 John 1:7-9.

As Catholics we are truly blessed in having the Confessional as we can ‘wipe the slate clean’ begin again even after a life of evil & not be troubled by scruples or remorse. Confession is a full Sacrament( not just a prep for Communion) and should be availed of as often as possible.

I always feel great after Confession. Keep going, soon you will learn to love it

 

[PerfectTiming]

I cannot think of a reason someone would be genuinely unable to receive confession - if you are unable to leave your home or are in hospital, for example, you can ask your priest to visit you to take your confession. If a circumstance really was that a person could not attend confession, I would still think they should go to confession as soon as they were able to.

Yes, confession is needed. Venial sins can be confessed ‘direct to God’ but for mortal sins you must attend confession. I’ve posted some links below that explain the necessity of confession.

catholic.com/library/Confession.asp - this link has quotes from early church fathers

catholic.com/library/Forgiveness_of_Sins.asp

 

[Tietjen]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

The Church recognizes that there is the possibility of an individual to make a perfect contrition. However, in order to do that, the sole intent of the individual must be solely based on the love of God and not because the person has fear of hell, loss of Heaven, the heinousness of the sin, etc. Even when an individual makes an act of contrition, he/she should still pursue the sacrament of confession.
Here are some quote from the CCC on the subject:
Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.

1492 Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called “perfect” contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called “imperfect.”

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

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.

Here is a very useful link that will shed light on the subject as well as provide you with the references.

 

[placido]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

Yes, it is needed.

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven.

The key phrase here is "cannot go to confession"
Like with baptism, it not your fault if you can not go. But that is a different matter if you are unwilling to go.

So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession?

Yes!

Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

It is need …first because some sins be forgiven and some can be retained, but if you insist in confessing directly to God you will never know which sins were forgiven and which were retained; secondly because that is the God-appointed way of forgiving sins.

placido

 

[Jenniferolg]

I think I may know where you are coming from as I had the same sort of questions a year ago when I was struggling with the concept of confession. I read the book by Scott Hahn, Lord Have Mercy and also a smaller book called An Adult Guide to the Examination of Conscience and as a result really had to rethink about twenty years of just plain bad catechesis that I had been believing. I believed it because it was oh so much easier than what I had learned prior to my first Holy Communion where the priests and nuns made us go to confession every Friday “whether we had any sins or not!”

Here is my advice. Begin praying for God’s will to be done in your life regarding whether or not YOU need to go to confession now and how often after that one. Read those two books or other similar books about confession. When I read Hahn’s book I felt very convicted that yes, confession was not only necessary, it was not the chore I thought it was, it was not something the church imposed for the church’s benefit, it was the church’s way of helping me become holier and less sinful and perhaps a road I might get on in order to find my way through the narrow gate eventually into heaven. My prayer was, “Lord, if you want me to go to confession, I need your strength to get this done and I need your guidance to do it properly. Thy will be done in this Lord, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.”

I made that first confession after 20 years with fear and trembling. I left the confessional after confessing my recent sins and did not feel good at all. I continued to read and pray, a month later a made another confession, this time confessing *all my past sins *that I knew to be mortal sins and I left THAT confession feeling like a million bucks, like maybe I might be cleansed of some pretty horrid sins and that I might have a shot at heaven after all.

I talk to everyone who will listen about what a gift we have in reconcilliation. The ability to confess our sins and receive forgiveness - the *assurance *of forgiveness and I truly believe that to be true. Do not be afraid. I know the priests have heard it all before. I made a huge, long list and read it all off and he didn’t bat an eye over any of my past sins. He just nodded, gave me some wonderful spiritual guidance, absolved my sins and sent me on my way. I wanted to skip out to my car. I have NEVER felt so good. I feel good just thinking about it. Now, when I go back, I feel wonderful again.

The key is to make, as they say in the 12 step programs a fearless moral inventory of ALL our past sins. If you have done it, write it down. Take the list with you. Read it either in front of the priest or behind the screen. Let Jesus wash you clean so you can start fresh. It is the best thing I have ever done. I highly recommend it.

Some folks have said to me that they are so embarrased and ashamed of their sins that they don’t want to admit them to another human being. I used to feel that way. I didn’t want the priest to think less of me. Then, I started to think of what it would be like to burn in hell for eternity, that “lit a fire under me” and gave me courage. I thought that the humiliation of admitting my sinfulness was perhaps what Jesus wanted of me in order to receive forgiveness. Anyway, I decided the humiliation was perhaps the lesser of the two and just did it. It wasn’t painful at all, the priest didn’t gasp, he didn’t refuse to forgive my sins.

Blessings,
Jennifer

 

[terryobrien1980]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

These kinds of questions often lead to the bigger question: Are the Church’s Dogma’s infallible (yes) and must we believe them (yes).

The Church says that if you are in a state of mortal sin you must go to confession before receiving the Eucharist. So, for a truly believing Catholic, that’s the end of ther story.

 

[Scoobyshme]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

Confession is “normatively” necessary for the forgiveness of sins in this life. And, the Sacrament can only be given by someone who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders (priest/bishop). This does not preclude you from also going to God and asking for repentance, etc., as soon as you sin. That’s a good thing, too, but it doesn’t take the place of the Sacrament of Confession. Now, if you are in some situation where you think your life is in danger, you can try to make an act of perfect contrition (hard to do!), and possibly get by. But an act of perfect contrition implies that you are doing so solely because of your love of God and NOT because you fear hell. That would be pretty hard to do.

Here’s a good talk on Confession by Fr. Larry Richards (yes, it’s free. Just download it and listen to it with Windows Media Player or your program/device of choice):

alabamacatholicresources.com/Downloads/Confession.mp3

 

[Kestrel003]

Hm…very thought provoking. I suppose that if a person was absolutely completely and definitely in a place of perfect contrition then they wouldn’t technically HAVE to go to confession to be absolved…of course if such a person existed they would be walking so closely with God they prob wouldn’t have anything to confess!

The light is dawning but I’m still a bit confused - what do you mean when you say that some sins can be retained? Coming from an evangelical background, that concept is very foreign to me. I realize that in John 20:23 Jesus tells the Apostles “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” FYI - not a verse they discuss much in the Churches I’ve been a part of! Sigh. Confused. The idea that God would refuse to forgive the sins of the penitent doesn’t seem to mesh with His character, but it’s clearly referenced here… What does it mean to have sins retained? What sins would be retained? Why would they be retained? How does a person know if their sins are forgiven vs retained?

Hope my questions aren’t too elementary - if it helps, I have been more challenged by a month lurking on this forum and reading the early church documents yall reference then I ever imagined I could be.

And yes, I realize that in the end this will all prob come down to the question of authority, but that’s a subject I’m still deep in research mode on!

 

[terryobrien1980]

Confession is “normatively” necessary for the forgiveness of sins in this life. And, the Sacrament can only be given by someone who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders (priest/bishop). This does not preclude you from also going to God and asking for repentance, etc., as soon as you sin. That’s a good thing, too, but it doesn’t take the place of the Sacrament of Confession. Now, if you are in some situation where you think your life is in danger, you can try to make an act of perfect contrition (hard to do!), and possibly get by. But an act of perfect contrition implies that you are doing so solely because of your love of God and NOT because you fear hell. That would be pretty hard to do.

Here’s a good talk on Confession by Fr. Larry Richards (yes, it’s free. Just download it and listen to it with Windows Media Player or your program/device of choice):

alabamacatholicresources.com/Downloads/Confession.mp3

Technically, you are correct. Unfortunately, many people who do not study much misconstrue these technicalities as meaning that confession is not absolutely neccessary. And that is wrong, especially since most of us never run into such extraordinary circumstances…

Better not to cloud the issue until you reach that bridge and need to cross it.

Even though there are exceptions under extraordinary circumstances, Canon Law states the following: http://www.trosch.org/law/cl-penan.htm

 

[Scoobyshme]

Technically, you are correct. Unfortunately, many people who do not study much misconstrue these technicalities as meaning that confession is not absolutely neccessary. And that is wrong, especially since most of us never run into such extraordinary circumstances…

Better not to cloud the issue until you reach that bridge and need to cross it.

Even though there are exceptions under extraordinary circumstances, Canon Law states the following: http://www.trosch.org/law/cl-penan.htm

Terry, you make a good point. I think many souls are lost depending on the last minute repentance, etc. They want to live like they want to live, then, at the last minute, “slide” through the door to heaven as it’s closing. Bad bet.

 

[TheDoctor]

The light is dawning but I’m still a bit confused - what do you mean when you say that some sins can be retained? Coming from an evangelical background, that concept is very foreign to me. I realize that in John 20:23 Jesus tells the Apostles “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” FYI - not a verse they discuss much in the Churches I’ve been a part of! Sigh. Confused. The idea that God would refuse to forgive the sins of the penitent doesn’t seem to mesh with His character, but it’s clearly referenced here… What does it mean to have sins retained? What sins would be retained? Why would they be retained? How does a person know if their sins are forgiven vs retained?

When one approaches confession, one must have two things for the sin to be forgiven: true contrition (you are really sorry for the sin) and firm purpose of amendment not to sin again (i.e. at the time you confess, you sincerely vow and desire not to commit that sin again). If Father believes either of these two conditions are not met, they can refuse absolution (i.e. they will not forgive the sin so it will be retained).

For example, if I go to confession a week before my wedding to confess sleeping with my fiancee and it goes like this: “Yo’ Father, look. my girlfriend wants me to go to confession so I’m here to make her happy and yeah we fool around a lot but she is smoooooookin, so ya’ know how it is I’m a guy and a guy’s gotta be a guy…” Father would most probably conclude I was not sorry for my sin nor do I have the firm purpose of amendment and would (rightly so) refuse me absolution until I turned my heart back to Jesus.

I will know my sins are retained because Father will tell me they are. I now my sins are forgiven when Father says the prayer of absolution over me and tells me so.

Keep asking questions, it’s the only way any of us learn.

 

[JM3]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

Code of Canon Law

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is** ob-liged **to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3H.HTM

 

[tobbias88]

[COLOR="Blue":

What does it mean to have sins retained? What sins would be retained? Why would they be retained? How does a person know if their sins are forgiven vs retained?

:

If as Peter said like dogs we return to our vomit then obviously the sin is retained until we change our life style.

So if you are in an adultrous or active gay relationship (long-term) then there is little point in going to Confession. But the same applies to all of the 7 Deadly sins. If these are part of your lifestyle then Forgiveness is not possible.(We tend to concentrate on Lust and ignore the other six!)

 

[placido]

A practical example of a sin that can be retained:

1. Max is a Catholic living in lawless state;
2. Max chases a family out of their land and occupies it;
3. Max goes to confess what he did but he refuses to give the land back to its rightful owners.

placido

 

[pablope]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

I will reiterate a book recommendation, and I strongly recommend it…Scott Hahn’s Lord Have Mercy…It is a very compelling book on confession, and you will have a develop a deeper understanding of the sacrament.

Just some points, it is not easy to go to confession, which is contrary to common protestant ideas that Catholics find it easy. First, one must be truly sincere and confession of sins is from the heart. If you are not aware, look up the “Act of Contrition” which is prayed after the priest says the prayer of absolution. One of the most difficult things to do is to accept that you have sinned, and once you have accepted that you have sinned, the second most difficult thing to do is to recount your sin to a person, especially a priest, accuse your self of the sins you have comitted. That is why it takes courage to go to confession, because, you are in essence accusing your self, and asking for forgiveness in front of a priest, who is “in persona Christi” here on earth. It is a humbling experience as if you are really face to face with God.

Anyway, just my two cents worth.

 

[thistle]

I have been reading through the Catechism recently (as well as shamelessly lurking on these boards!) in an attempt to answer some of my questions concerning my Faith and to really evaluate the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So my current question is:
Is confession (to a priest) actually necessary? I understand many of the benefits - humility, accountability, potential advice, etc - but is it actually needed?

From my understanding, if circumstances are such that a person cannot go to confession but instead makes confession directly to God (of course with the right attitude, actual repentance, resolution to do better, etc) they are forgiven. **So then, if it is possible to simply go directly to God and receive forgiveness of sins, is it absolutely **necessary to go to confession? Understand, I’m not asking if it’s helpful or if it’s the best way or anything like that, I’m trying to nail down if it’s actually needed. And if so, why?

As always, feel free to send any early Church writings my way - nothing better then reading it straight from the horses mouth! Thanks in advance!!

Such forgiveness would only result following an act of perfect contrition conditional upon firm intent to get to Confession as soon as possible. If the person died before getting to Confession their sins would be forgiven. If they did not make an act of perfect contrition or did not intend going to Confession after making such an act then their sins are not forgiven.

 

[Tannhauser]

But an act of perfect contrition implies that you are doing so solely because of your love of God and NOT because you fear hell. That would be pretty hard to do.

I have seen this same thing implied in many other posts by many others on here, and I have to say, it rather bothers me. Why is it so difficult for us, as creatures of God, who have called upon the name of His Son for our eteranal salvation, to be truly sorry for our sins because we love God; and not because, as I have mentioned elsewhere, we are bullied into the idea [consciously or not] through a fear of Hell.

We love our neighbours, presumably, because we acknowledge that God has loved us first and commanded us that, all made in His image, we should love one another as we do ourselves… should we also assume that perhaps we only love our neighbours because we feel pressured into the idea…??

I am at a genuine loss on this one.

 

[Scoobyshme]

I have seen this same thing implied in many other posts by many others on here, and I have to say, it rather bothers me. Why is it so difficult for us, as creatures of God, who have called upon the name of His Son for our eteranal salvation, to be truly sorry for our sins because we love God; and not because, as I have mentioned elsewhere, we are bullied into the idea [consciously or not] through a fear of Hell.

We love our neighbours, presumably, because we acknowledge that God has loved us first and commanded us that, all made in His image, we should love one another as we do ourselves… should we also assume that perhaps we only love our neighbours because we feel pressured into the idea…??

I am at a genuine loss on this one.

Hell is a reality that shouldn’t be discounted. Jesus talked about the possibilities of hell about 90 times in the Gospels and He talked about Heaven only about 30 times. That’s not a coincidence.

So, to make an act of perfect contrition, one would have to do so totally out of love for God, with no influence whatsoever by the fear of possibly of going to hell. Impossible without God’s grace, but very hard even with it, since those who are faithful to the Church’s teaching believe in the possibility of going to hell. This would be especially true if one were in a life and death situation, don’t you think? If one assumes there is no hell (a heresy) or that one is definitely going to heaven (sin of presumption), then one sins anyway.

 

[steve_b]

Hm…very thought provoking. I suppose that if a person was absolutely completely and definitely in a place of perfect contrition then they wouldn’t technically HAVE to go to confession to be absolved…of course if such a person existed they would be walking so closely with God they prob wouldn’t have anything to confess!

It’s my understanding that perfect contrition, while possible, shouldn’t be thought of as a replacement for confession. One does the best they can though If confession to a priest is not available.
K:

The light is dawning but I’m still a bit confused - what do you mean when you say that some sins can be retained? Coming from an evangelical background, that concept is very foreign to me. I realize that in John 20:23 Jesus tells the Apostles “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” FYI - not a verse they discuss much in the Churches I’ve been a part of! Sigh.

Here’s a story [edited for space] told by a woman who confessed to Fr Padre Pio. Because the confessional is sacred, a priest can’t divulge what anyone confesses for ANY reason. So this episode was told by the sinner.

Padre Pio had the gift of reading souls. He could tell what someone needed to confess even before they confessed. The woman who told this story, said after she thought she had given a complete confession, Pio asaked is that all? She said yes. He said think again. She reiterated she is finished. Pio said go out and climb the hill in the back of the Church. Examine your conscience and come back. She did as Fr Pio said. But still couldn’t recall anything more. He siad climb the hill again. Still no change in her confession. Pio was NOT going to forgive her and give her absolution until she confessed what he knew she needed to confess. To cut the story short, he said she had an abortion. To which she said only my mother and I knew that. Pio said, God knew, and the baby you aborted would have been a fine bishop that the Church needed.

While this story falls way outside the norm, it is an example of retaining a sin. Once she confessed THAT sin, THEN Pio gave her absolution on all the rest of the sins she confessed.
K:

Confused. The idea that God would refuse to forgive the sins of the penitent doesn’t seem to mesh with His character, but it’s clearly referenced here… What does it mean to have sins retained? What sins would be retained? Why would they be retained? How does a person know if their sins are forgiven vs retained?

The most obvious would be sin that one is not sorry for, or has no intent of stopping.