My priest said tonight that Confession not neccessary for 'Good Catholics'

[awalt]

Thanks ChurchMilitant!

PS to the group - I went to Mass on Thursday, and the Priest gave a homily on al the benefits of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and what a missed opportunity it is that Catholics don’t go more. Funny how different some of the churches are…

 

[felra]

WhiteDove:

He said that he checked with the head of the Parish council at this parish and she said it would be fine to do the same for her parish (the more liberal one)

Besides everything else, this priest is either lacking in leadership skills *or *in understanding of his priestly role as shephard of the flock.

 

[fix]

WhiteDove:

My priest did a ‘pastoral teaching’ sermon, instead of a homily on the readings, at the Vigil Mass. He is pastor for two smaller parishes that are 2 miles apart in two small towns in the mountains. One of the parishes is more conservative. They have the 8 AM Mass. The other parish is not as conservative and has the Vigil and 10 AM Mass. The two parishes are not totally friendly with one another, but seem to harbor some longstanding grudges.

He explained that priests are allowed to do occasional pastoral teaching sermons. He said that at the parish council meeting of the other parish (the more conservative one) there was a lively discussion about confession, the need for it, etc. So he decided to do a pastoral teaching on it, based on the Catechism. He said that he checked with the head of the Parish council at this parish and she said it would be fine to do the same for her parish (the more liberal one)

I ususually attend either the Vigil Mass or the 8 AM one. Anyways, he basically cited the Catechism and said that confession wasn’t neccessary even once a year, and that it would be near impossible for a good Catholic to find themself in a state of Mortal sin. He said that we are excused from mortal sin usually because often it is factors beyond our control that lead to it, such as our passions, or other mitigating factors. He provided citations for his statements. He did conceed that we were welcome to use the sacrament if we were comforted or benefited from it.

He also said that our main way of being forgiven was through the Eurcharist. Also, he said that we could directly ask God for forgiveness. He also said that God would forgive us without our having to ask. He provided a Bible citation for that, based on a paralytic who was forgiven by Jesus without asking. He emphasized how loving and forgiving God is.

Anyways, as I walked out, I jokingly asked if it was okay to still go if we felt it was helpful to us. He said, “didn’t I mention that?” Well, he didn’t exactly encourage it. Basically, anyone who is lukewarm will feel even more let off the hook after this sermon. this.

To paraphrase Mother Angelica…he might be a priest, but he ain’t Catholic…

 

[4_marks]

WhiteDove:

My priest did a ‘pastoral teaching’ sermon, instead of a homily on the readings, at the Vigil Mass. He is pastor for two smaller parishes that are 2 miles apart in two small towns in the mountains. One of the parishes is more conservative. They have the 8 AM Mass. The other parish is not as conservative and has the Vigil and 10 AM Mass. The two parishes are not totally friendly with one another, but seem to harbor some longstanding grudges.

He explained that priests are allowed to do occasional pastoral teaching sermons. He said that at the parish council meeting of the other parish (the more conservative one) there was a lively discussion about confession, the need for it, etc. So he decided to do a pastoral teaching on it, based on the Catechism. He said that he checked with the head of the Parish council at this parish and she said it would be fine to do the same for her parish (the more liberal one)

I ususually attend either the Vigil Mass or the 8 AM one. Anyways, he basically cited the Catechism and said that confession wasn’t neccessary even once a year, and that it would be near impossible for a good Catholic to find themself in a state of Mortal sin. He said that we are excused from mortal sin usually because often it is factors beyond our control that lead to it, such as our passions, or other mitigating factors. He provided citations for his statements. He did conceed that we were welcome to use the sacrament if we were comforted or benefited from it.

He also said that our main way of being forgiven was through the Eurcharist. Also, he said that we could directly ask God for forgiveness. He also said that God would forgive us without our having to ask. He provided a Bible citation for that, based on a paralytic who was forgiven by Jesus without asking. He emphasized how loving and forgiving God is.

Anyways, as I walked out, I jokingly asked if it was okay to still go if we felt it was helpful to us. He said, “didn’t I mention that?” Well, he didn’t exactly encourage it. Basically, anyone who is lukewarm will feel even more let off the hook after this sermon. this.

Yes, God is merciful, but your priest appears to be working through some issues of his own. Given his comment about “passions” being “beyond our control,” if I were you, I wouldn’t let my kids, let me clarify that…my male children, anywhere near him.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Once again, proof positive that “a little learning is a dangerous thing.”

The priest is technically correct in some of his statements. After all, one does not have to go to Confession if one is not in a state of mortal sin.

And according to the CCC as well as other documents and in canon law, it is true that culpability for sin, especially serious or mortal sin, can be (that’s “can be”) mitigated.

Where Father makes an error, IMO, is the unwarranted leap from, “because culpability for sin can be mitigated”, therefore “it* is,* or it will be mitigated in most if not all cases.”

Most of us would certainly disagree with taking a particular, or a theoretical “could”, and making it into a general, concrete “is” or “will”.

Father, in his concern for the happiness and well-being of his flock, is emphasizing God’s mercy but completely neglecting that other aspect which always goes with mercy–justice.

And by doing so, Father has turned God from our Savior into our “Partner”–Grandfather God, who wants everybody to be happy, overlooks all our faults because “we can’t help our base passions so we aren’t really sinning mortally”. God has become Dr. Pangloss in this “best of all possible worlds”. Why would we need Jesus to sacrifice Himself for our sins, if just about everyone never really sins to begin with?

And down the slippery slope we go.

 

[_Joshua]

Untrue, don’t listen to this,--------- Sacramental Confession is neccessary in the Catholic Church, personally I’d ignore, & do these liberal preachers.

If the Pope goes often, then how can this priest feel that the flock can attend less.

 

[space_ghost]

I think my problem is that I now feel a little foolish going to this priest for confession,

Please don’t feel foolish and don’t stop going… take it from someone who has been there…

since he obviously isn’t into it. It’s ironic, because he can be a very good confessor. But, I live in an isolated area and it would be totally inconvenient for me to go elsewhere.

continue going, discuss your feelings with him…

So, it sort of puts me in an awkward spot.

i disagree… hang in there!