Orthodox went to Catholic confession

  • Thread starter Thread starter mitex
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mitex

Guest
I am a charismated Eastern Orthodox Christian (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese). This past week, I had fallen into a state of sin, and I wanted to see my spiritual father for confession. However, my spiritual father is a very busy man, and does prison ministry, hospice chaplaincy, and a lot more. He is planning on offering regularly scheduled confession, but as of now confession is by appointment only. This is the only Orthodox parish in my area.

He couldn’t get me in for confession anytime this week, or next week either. I knew it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to receive to Eucharist if I didn’t go to confession. I examined myself, and was sincerely sorry for my sins. I had heard Orthodox Christians who didn’t have access to their own priests could go to confession with a Catholic priest. There is a Cistercian priory near where I live, and they offer confessions on Saturday afternoons, I went to confession with the priest. It was a little awkward at first because Orthodox confession is much longer than Catholic ones. I went through the confession, and the prior gave me absolution.

I forgot to mention I was Eastern Orthodox, and didn’t have access to my own priest. I did the penance he assigned me, and I am truly repentant for what I had done. Does my failure to mention I’m Orthodox invalidate the confession?
 
I don’t think so. I do know a little about canon law, but I’m not an expert in it. You may want to ask some Orthodox on this one.
 
Last edited:
mitex said:
I am a charismated Eastern Orthodox Christian (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese). This past week, I had fallen into a state of sin, and I wanted to see my spiritual father for confession. However, my spiritual father is a very busy man, and does prison ministry, hospice chaplaincy, and a lot more. He is planning on offering regularly scheduled confession, but as of now confession is by appointment only. This is the only Orthodox parish in my area.

He couldn’t get me in for confession anytime this week, or next week either. I knew it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to receive to Eucharist if I didn’t go to confession. I examined myself, and was sincerely sorry for my sins. I had heard Orthodox Christians who didn’t have access to their own priests could go to confession with a Catholic priest. There is a Cistercian priory near where I live, and they offer confessions on Saturday afternoons, I went to confession with the priest. It was a little awkward at first because Orthodox confession is much longer than Catholic ones. I went through the confession, and the prior gave me absolution.

I forgot to mention I was Eastern Orthodox, and didn’t have access to my own priest. I did the penance he assigned me, and I am truly repentant for what I had done. Does my failure to mention I’m Orthodox invalidate the confession?
Click to expand...
Here are 2 sources that may apply.

www.catholic.com

Russian Orthodox May Receive Catholic Sacraments

If someone who is Russian Orthodox had no access to a church of their own, they could receive in a Catholic church. However, the Catholic Church does not encour...
www.catholic.com www.catholic.com

and check with your own priest
 
Last edited:
You made a valid confession. Be at peace.

Regarding approaching Catholic sacraments, the Orthodox do not have the same view as the Catholic Church. So while the CC allows it, your own Church may not.

Speak to your Orthodox priest.
 
Last edited:
I don’t know the answer to your question and it is an interesting one. It would seem to me the issue would be what relevance your being Orthodox has to a valid confession. If it has no relevance then mentioning it would be of no consequence.

From a Catholic and Orthodox point of view each Church is in schism. Schism is sinful. It would seem to me to be gravely sinful. So in the Catholic view it could be a mortal sin. The other factors would be full knowledge and deliberate consent. You also have the issue of intent to amend your life which, I would think, is intent to stop being schismatic.

But, is an individual layman who follows his Bishop in mortal sin for following a schismatic? Maybe not.
1ke said:
Regarding approaching Catholic sacraments, the Orthodox do not have the same view as the Catholic Church. So while the CC allows it, your own Church may not.
Click to expand...
Maybe this tells us something. From my understanding you are right. The Catholic Church admits to the sacraments Orthodox who don’t have access to their priests. If by sacrament we meant only confession that wouldn’t be much of a position. Because any baptized person is admitted to confession who intends to be Catholic. And this would be necessary prior to receiving the Eucharist. So if other sacraments are available to Orthodox in extremis then it would seem repentance from being Orthodox is unnecessary (or at least not mortal) and therefore something you wouldn’t have to confess or mention in confession.

As I said this is an interesting question. I’d like to know an authoritative answer.
 
exnihilo said:
From a Catholic and Orthodox point of view each Church is in schism. Schism is sinful. It would seem to me to be gravely sinful. So in the Catholic view it could be a mortal sin. The other factors would be full knowledge and deliberate consent. You also have the issue of intent to amend your life which, I would think, is intent to stop being schismatic.
Click to expand...
NO!! This is not correct.

Canon 844.3 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.

CCC 818 However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers …
 
Last edited:
1ke said:
NO!! This is not correct.
Click to expand...
What isn’t correct? Your quotes support what I suspected. Your quotes don’t say schism isn’t sinful or not gravely sinful.
 
Last edited:
From the Catholic end you did nothing wrong at all. Being Eastern Orthodox does not change the way the Sacrament is administered by thr Catholic priest. The only reason it might come up is that the priest might give you penance more suited to your spiritual life, and might direct you to your own priest for direction on certain matters. You certainly aren’t “in sin” just for being Orthodox.

Now, whether or not your Confession is a problem from the Orthodox side would depend on your Bishop and priest. Some communities are very open and sharing with Catholics, others are not. If you are concerned then I recommend speaking with your priest.
 
Last edited:
I think it wouod be valid from a Catholic perspective, but as an Orthodox this is something you should probably be asking an Orthodox priest or at least community.
 
Last edited:
If the Catholic Church says it’s okay for Orthodox Christians to take communion, it would seem the sacrament of confession would be valid, too, at least from the Catholic perspective.
 
Last edited:
While I understand that different sui iuris Churches have different laws regarding the matter, I would assume that from the Orthodox end your confession is fine. There is one Russian Orthodox parish here, and one Coptic church a few hours away. The members of the R.O. parish always go to confession at the Redemptorist parish down the road when their priest is gone away to minister to other secluded parishes around the world as he is apt.
 
exnihilo said:
Your quotes don’t say schism isn’t sinful or not gravely sinful.
Click to expand...
Um, not to be flip, but yeah it does. CCC 818 specifically says those born into these Churches are
NOT charged with the sin of separation (schism).

Go read that entire part of the Catechism and the Church’s documents on the Churches of the East, via-a-vid their relationship to the Catholic Church and how we are to treat those Churches and their members.
 
That isn’t saying schism isn’t sinful. That is saying certain persons aren’t guilty of that sin.
 
Hi everyone, thank you so much for your feedback, and clarifications. When my spiritual father gets a chance to see me again, I will discuss this matter with him. My spiritual father is open minded, and ecumenical (for someone who is Orthodox) especially towards Catholics, and Oriental Orthodox.

Given the circumstances I was in, I don’t think he will be upset, he may want me to go to Orthodox confession again possibly, but I will find out when I meet with him next Sunday. I’m glad to have a clarification that when my own priest isn’t available in extenuating circumstances, I received a valid confession anyway. Thanks everyone!
 
Being an Orthodox is not a sin. Those who are born into Orthodox Churches are not guilty of schism. Period.
 
Eastern Orthodox are explicitly permitted by canon law to receive the sacraments from a Catholic minister. You are fine!
 
Brother/Sister,

Where did you hear that? It is true, that in some very limited instances, permission was given for a heterodox confession (In the Middle East or places of extreme persecution is where this permission is most seen).

It is certainly not the norm, and even within Orthodoxy, controversial.


You should always receive your Spiritual Father’s blessing before you confess to anyone else other than him. Orthodox should receive the Sacred Mysteries from Orthodox priests ONLY.
 
Last edited:
And I am an Orthodox Christian “urging” him to respect Our teachings, as you say.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top