Non-Catholics and Confession

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Delaine75

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This question was brought up by a young lady in my RCIA class, and the gentleman teaching the class wasn’t quite sure of the answer (our priest usually sits in during class but was in another classroom that day), so I’ll pose it to you guys and maybe someone can answer it for her. She wanted to know: Can non-Catholics go to confession? :confused:
 
Delaine75 said:
This question was brought up by a young lady in my RCIA class, and the gentleman teaching the class wasn’t quite sure of the answer (our priest usually sits in during class but was in another classroom that day), so I’ll pose it to you guys and maybe someone can answer it for her. She wanted to know: Can non-Catholics go to confession? :confused:
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In a word no.

Remember that when we go to Confession, the result is Reconciliation. We are reconciled to God and to the Church.

A person who is not yet a member of the Church cannot be reconciled back to the Church.

I’ve never been to Iceland, so I cannot possibly return to Iceland.

In the case of someone in RCIA (the previously-baptised form of RCIA), the first Confession is a part of being received into the Church, together with first Communion and Confirmation.
 
Generally as others have said the answer is they cannot.

There are though I should note certain cases where the answer is yes. But not normally.

Read: catholic.com/quickquestions/can-a-non-catholic-friend-of-mine-can-go-to-a-priest-and-receive-the-sacrament-of-rec

Though those who are Eastern Orthodox and similar are in a different boat --they can more readily do so if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. (though they often have norms from their side that limit such) See Canon Law and other documents from the Church on the matter.
 
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