Question on Repairing Past Sins

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mUzda2

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Hello,

Here is the scenario:
Bob is 13 years old. He’s immature and doesn’t have much respect for anyone. He hurts many people along the way through bullying, he lies to many people blatantly, and uses others for his own pleasures and gains. He’s an absolute rascal. Many years later, Bob reverts to Catholicism and goes to Confession. He confesses all of his sins and wrongdoings of his past life.

Question: Does Bob NEED to go back to all of those people he lied to, hurt, used, etc… in his earlier life, tell them what he did to them, apologize for it, etc… to be truly forgiven? Or does the Sacrament itself and sorrow for these sins cause them all to be forgiven by Christ?

Let us pray for one another.

Matt
 
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mUzda2 said:
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Does Bob NEED to go back to all of those people he lied to, hurt, used, etc… in his earlier life, tell them what he did to them, apologize for it, etc… to be truly forgiven? Or does the Sacrament itself and sorrow for these sins cause them all to be forgiven by Christ?
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Absolution takes away sin (provided there is proper contrition).

Catechism of the Catholic Church
1459 Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.62 Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins. This satisfaction is also called “penance.”

62 Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712.

1450 "Penance requires . . . the sinner to endure all things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction."49

49 Roman Catechism II,V,21; cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1673.
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@Vico So, would Bob be able to expiate for bullying someone during his childhood by fasting for them for a day? Or does he HAVE to go to that person, talk about it, apologize, etc… even if it is long gone away with?
 
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