My struggle with Catholicism

[tonyrey]

You will probably discover that Protestantism (especially, Evangelicalism and less ecclesiastically mature denominations) are significantly different religious experiences that Catholicism. I would be hard-pressed to articulate the difference precisely and briefly, but I have always found that the place is ritual is almost completely absent in Protestantism (again, especially those less ecclesiastically mature denominations) and that there is something tremendously modern in the Protestantism devotion to individualism and ego.

Each position poses its own risks. Conformity and nonconformity can be - and have been - taken to absurd extremes. The beauty of Catholicism is that it permits a wide divergence of views on minor issues but a solid foundation of fundamental truths.

 

[grandfather]

Confession was not always practiced as it is now in the Catholic Church. Catholics will tell you it really works. When you confess your sins to a priest and receive absolution the burden of guilt is really lifted. You feel it. It happens. It is gone.

This is the normal way, or the mechanism or means for a sinful soul to be reconciled with God, but it is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are forgiven.

The Catholic Church does not teach that this is the only way to reconciliation. If she did then the Church would also have to teach that virtually all souls who die go to hell. Instead the Church teaches that we do not know what happens to most souls, but hope and pray for mercy and salvation for all.

This would not even be an option if the only way to forgiveness was sacramental confession. Taking advantage of this sacrament will aid you on the path of holiness. There is a lot of grace that comes from verbally accusing yourself of sins and with your ears hearing the words from another person that God forgives you.

 

[Joel_PF]

Confessional is the visible, institutional means of coming back into communion with the body of the faithful, which is forfeited by sin. This is necessary for one’s spiritual life.

However, the very act of personally repenting and having genuine contrition for one’s sin before God already forgives us of the sin. When we do that, we have, by His grace, set our goal back on Him and away from the lesser goods for which we sinned.

 

[grandfather]

In order for sin to be forgiven a person has to be sorry for their sins. This is called contrition or repentance.

As you learn more about this you will find that the Church says there are two kinds of contrition. There is perfect contrition and imperfect contrition.

Imperfect contrition is when we are sorry for our sins, because we know that we are in trouble due to them. We know there will be justice to pay, or punishment. So we ask for mercy to save ourselves this consequence of our sins.

Perfect contrition is when we are sorry for our sins, because they offend God who deserves to be loved not offended. It is love of God which causes our contrition.

You can see this in human relationships. Sometimes someone is sorry for what they did to hurt someone, because they got in some trouble over it. Other times they regret hurting the person.

Perfect contrition instantly repairs the wound in the soul’s relationship with God, but a Catholic still should confess the sin.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi
To learn more, I am reading a book called “Catholicism for Dummies”. I am struggling with what it says. Under a paragraph heading “You gotta confess” it says: "…the Church believes that mortal sins can’t be forgiven and the soul damns itself to hell without absolution from a priest."

I Scott

it has taken a while because this is a 300+ page book and you did not give any citation

I am reading starting on page 125 (Sacraments of Community and Mercy Chapter 7) section which begins: “You gotta confess” and I am not finding your quote

can you help me out here?
Okay here is your quote but in the context of having first told us that in danger of death an acto of perfect contrition is enough if there is no priest available.

did you read the explanation of the sacrament of penance in which pegins on page 123, which answers all your objections as to the scriptural basis for the sacrament? and did you read further on page 125-26 which answers your objections specifically about confession to a priest? Do you still have questions after reading the entire text?

Does this help? Scriptural basis for Why should I confess to a priest:
Christ himself gave the power to forgive sins to the apostles and their successors
Jn 20:21-23
Peter acting as mediator between man and Christ Acts 5:5
Authority give to men Matt 9:8
Church given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 5:18-20
churches power to forgive sins committed after baptism inherent in sacrament of holy orders
Mt 9:8, 18:18; Jn 20:21-23; Jm5:14-15