Is there still a requirement to confess to a priest?

[dmftx]

At our Lenten Penance service, I confessed to a retired priest who told me that all I truly need to do, regardless of the type of sin, was to confess to God with a contrite heart and good intentions to be forgiven. He said that I could go to confession if I felt that I needed to but it wasn’t necessary and that, perhaps, I go to confession 2-4 times a year to discuss sins I might find particularly difficult to avoid. This was contrary to what I’ve always been told (I am near the age of 50). I asked another priest about this who concurred, reminding me that I know that forgiveness is not the same as expiation of the sin from my spirit (which I knew). I am fine with this but I feel uncomfortable because, having been educated through Catholic schools, the thought of the requirement to confess to a priest is ingrained in me.

Can you please provide me with clarification? I feel awful questioning what I have been told by two caring, tenured priests who are doing a wonderful job serving our God in our diocese. Thank you! :confused

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

We are still required to confess mortal sins.

Catechism (emphasis added):

1456 Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance: "All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession, even if they are most secret and have been committed against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound the soul more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly.

If you are not conscious of any mortal sins then you are not required to go to confession. It is helpful and beneficial to do so, but it is not required in those circumstances.