Priest said they don't have to go to confession

[Neil_Anthony]

What do you say to someone who doesn’t go to confession because a priest told them that their sins can be forgiven without confession? And that they go to general absolution, which must be OK since the priest allows it.

When I bring up the catechism he says that he doesn’t have to read that because he learns from the priest. How do you counter that?

 

[Dauphin]

Priests can err. The Church cannot. Christianity is about following the teaching of the Church, not the opinions of a single priest.

 

[Newbie2]

What do you say to someone who doesn’t go to confession because a priest told them that their sins can be forgiven without confession? And that they go to general absolution, which must be OK since the priest allows it.

When I bring up the catechism he says that he doesn’t have to read that because he learns from the priest. How do you counter that?

You’d have to know the context of what the priest “told them”. For example, Protestants don’t go to confession, does that mean their sins are not forgiven?

I would take a different tack; instead of arguing for or against what a priest “says”, tell that person how great it feels to go to confession, and especially after when the burden of sin has been lifted. It’s quite an experience.

 

[1ke]

Offer to meet with both the priest and your friend *together *to discuss this topic in detail and understand exactly what the priest said (your friend may be misunderstanding him), and bring your Catechism with you.

 

[drafdog]

We are required to confess our serious (mortal) sins at least once a year. Venial sins may be absolved by a general absolution without auricular confession to the priest.

Matthew

 

[Yerusalyim]

If one does not have mortal sin, confession, while a VERY GOOD THING, is not NECCESSARY.

 

[RascalJones]

From what I’ve read and been told, venial sins are forgiven at every Mass.

Lord, Have Mercy
Christ, Have Mercy
Lord, Have Mercy

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world…

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the words and I shall be healed.

Those were the points of the Mass that were pointed out to me by a priest for the forgiveness of venial sins.

 

[mercygate]

What do you say to someone who doesn’t go to confession because a priest told them that their sins can be forgiven without confession? And that they go to general absolution, which must be OK since the priest allows it.

When I bring up the catechism he says that he doesn’t have to read that because he learns from the priest. How do you counter that?

Clarify whether the priest was referring to mortal sin. While Mass absolves venial sin, it don’t do bupkis for da big stuff!

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Thanks everyone. After talking about it more with him, he apparently doesn’t commit mortal sins which is why he doesn’t go to confession. Thanks for helping me clear that up

Neil

 

[Red_Meg]

he apparently doesn’t commit mortal sins which is why he doesn’t go to confession.

…but he’s not taking advantage of the easiest, most helpful way God has given us to overcome our venial sins (which are still displeasing to Our Lord,) root out our defects and grow in holiness. Regular confession helps make saints, which is what we are all called to be.

Margaret

 

[kage_ar]

Buy them a copy of the CCC.

 

[Chatter163]

Thanks everyone. After talking about it more with him, he apparently doesn’t commit mortal sins which is why he doesn’t go to confession.

Wow, must be nice…

 

[TheDoctor]

Thanks everyone. After talking about it more with him, he apparently doesn’t commit mortal sins which is why he doesn’t go to confession…

If your friend truly does not commit mortal sins (and who are any of us to judge) then God bless him! He is an example for all.

If on the other hand he does not recognize his sins, the most charitable thing would be to help him to do this. I would ask him to share what examination of conscience he uses to evaluate his behavior. Maybe he just has a bad guide. If he does not use any, you can share one with him (I have a link to one below but there are many other good ones) and pray that God will open his eyes to this beautiful sacrament.
ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/EXAMCONS.TXT

You are a good friend to worry about the state of your friends soul.

 

[Godi]

What do you say to someone who doesn’t go to confession because a priest told them that their sins can be forgiven without confession? And that they go to general absolution, which must be OK since the priest allows it.

When I bring up the catechism he says that he doesn’t have to read that because he learns from the priest. How do you counter that?

Martin Luther was also a Priest.

 

[quiet52]

I hope your friend will chastise his priest for not encouraging him to go to confession.

 

[Peccata]

If your friend truly does not commit mortal sins (and who are any of us to judge) then God bless him! He is an example for all.

If on the other hand he does not recognize his sins, the most charitable thing would be to help him to do this. I would ask him to share what examination of conscience he uses to evaluate his behavior. Maybe he just has a bad guide. If he does not use any, you can share one with him (I have a link to one below but there are many other good ones) and pray that God will open his eyes to this beautiful sacrament.
ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/EXAMCONS.TXT

You are a good friend to worry about the state of your friends soul.

:heaven: I love this Examination of Conscience URL. The ones in booklets/missals etc. just don’t always help and I always struggle. Thanks soo much!

Peccata

 

[porthos11]

Thanks everyone. After talking about it more with him, he apparently doesn’t commit mortal sins which is why he doesn’t go to confession. Thanks for helping me clear that up

Neil

Then such a person is indeed the most fortunate in the world.

 

[krissy343]

If your friend truly does not commit mortal sins (and who are any of us to judge) I would ask him to share what examination of conscience he uses to evaluate his behavior. Maybe he just has a bad guide. .

For a sin to be mortal doesn’t the person have to have full knowledge that it is a grave sin but they do it regardless? If the person doesn’t see it as a grave sin, does it count as one? Just asking

In additon:
I think it’s a great idea to do an examination of conscience and confess any sins that might be questionable. I personally tend to confess as many venial sins as I can recall as well but I know that’s not the practice of everyone.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

If your friend truly does not commit mortal sins (and who are any of us to judge) then God bless him! He is an example for all.

If on the other hand he does not recognize his sins, the most charitable thing would be to help him to do this. I would ask him to share what examination of conscience he uses to evaluate his behavior. Maybe he just has a bad guide. If he does not use any, you can share one with him (I have a link to one below but there are many other good ones) and pray that God will open his eyes to this beautiful sacrament.
ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/EXAMCONS.TXT

You are a good friend to worry about the state of your friends soul.

Well I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s true. I mean what are the most common mortal sins

1. Illicit sex
2. birth control
3. Missing mass on a holy day of obligation

Any other mortal sins besides those are probably also crimes, if I understand correctly? This guy certainly isn’t a criminal, and is married and past childbearing age and faithful, and goes to mass, so I can’t see any reason to assume he’s wrong.

 

[TheDoctor]

For a sin to be mortal doesn’t the person have to have full knowledge that it is a grave sin but they do it regardless? If the person doesn’t see it as a grave sin, does it count as one?

I believe it still is. For example, we know that abortion is objectively a grave sin. If I personally just don’t agree with the Church’s teaching and become an abortionist, can I really get a pass from God because “I just don’t see it the way the Church sees it”? This is a slippery slope. Murder is a sin. If I just don’t agree with that for certain ethic groups so I judge I am free to kill them, does my not agreeing lessen the sin?

I will share myself: I struggle with some sins that I know the Church teaches are grave, yet I do not fully understand why. I can’t hide behind that when I give in. The Church said it was grave, I knew the Church said it was grave, I chose to sin, it is mortal. Thank God (thank you thank you thank you) for reconciliation!