Non-Catholic Confession?

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I am really showing my ignorance here, but this has been bugging me for a few weeks. Can a non-Catholic go to confession? If so, is it a sacrament? Since I as a convert went to confession before confirmation, doesn’t this qualify as a non-Catholic receiving the Sacrament? What if the person is a baptized non-Catholic? What if the person is a baptized non-Catholic not practicing a religion or even really believing in Christ? Sorry if I’m merely displaying my ignorance and asking a bad question.

God Bless

Jon Winterburn
 
To answer your first question: a non-Catholic may not go to confession.

For your second question: Confession comes before Confirmation, so it is appropriate that you did them in that order.

For your third question: The Catholic Church recognizes any Christian baptism as valid.
 
Caesar517 said:
For your third question: The Catholic Church recognizes any Christian baptism as valid.
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Any Trinitarian Christian baptism, that is (ie must be ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ … not all of 'em are, you know)
 
Caesar517 said:
To answer your first question: a non-Catholic may not go to confession.

For your second question: Confession comes before Confirmation, so it is appropriate that you did them in that order.

For your third question: The Catholic Church recognizes any Christian baptism as valid.
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Great, concise answer. Two minor caveats,though:
can. 844
§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.
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§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.
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The reason non-Catholics may not go to confession is because for them to be re-united with the Church, they need to fully enter it first:
**CCC 1462 **Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church. Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential discipline.[66] Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent that they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church.[67]
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LilyM said:
Any Trinitarian Christian baptism, that is (ie must be ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ … not all of 'em are, you know)
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I thought all Christian baptisms used the Trinitarian formula. Are there any major Christian denominations who don’t?
 
I was somewhat surprised to find out (having been one for over 30 years) that Missouri Synod Lutherans have private confession and absolution available to them, albeit non-sacramental:

*Receive the forgiveness Christ won for you by His Passion, death, and resurrection. By the command of our Lord Jesus Christ I, a called and ordained servant of the Word, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. *

But to the OP’s question, non-Catholics are not allowed Catholic sacramental confession.
 
Caesar517 said:
I thought all Christian baptisms used the Trinitarian formula. Are there any major Christian denominations who don’t?
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Nope. Some just baptise in the name of Jesus (contrary to His own instructions of course :rolleyes:) And I’m sure some have gotten into the ‘Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier’ malarkey as well. I’d imagine the Anglicans permit that one - at least the more liberal branches.

So offhand I don’t know that all major denominations would have a set formula, let alone a Trinitarian one.
 
LilyM said:
Nope. Some just baptise in the name of Jesus (contrary to His own instructions of course :rolleyes:) And I’m sure some have gotten into the ‘Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier’ malarkey as well. I’d imagine the Anglicans permit that one - at least the more liberal branches.

So offhand I don’t know that all major denominations would have a set formula, let alone a Trinitarian one.
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LilyM,

Before I call your post “malarkey” will please show me where the Anglican Church permits the use of ‘Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier’ for baptism. Thanks!
 
Thank you all for your replies. My questions have been adequately answered.

God Bless

Jon
 
emeraldcoast said:
LilyM,

Before I call your post “malarkey” will please show me where the Anglican Church permits the use of ‘Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier’ for baptism. Thanks!
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I’m not pretending to absolute knowledge that y’all do so, by any means, hence my deliberate use of the words ‘I’d imagine’ 🤷

Having said which, what with your female and openly gay bishops, your blasphemous and offensive blessing of openly adulterous marriages like that of Prince Charles, not to mention gay unions, if it’s not already being done (like I said, by SOME branches of Anglicanism at least) it can’t be too far away now.
 
LilyM said:
I’m not pretending to absolute knowledge that y’all do so, by any means, hence my deliberate use of the words ‘I’d imagine’ 🤷

Having said which, what with your female and openly gay bishops, your blasphemous and offensive blessing of openly adulterous marriages like that of Prince Charles, not to mention gay unions, if it’s not already being done (like I said, by SOME branches of Anglicanism at least) it can’t be too far away now.
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Happy Advent!
 
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