Question regarding imperfect contrition

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So I know that the Church teaches that when receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation that, while perfect contrition is obviously preferable, that imperfect contrition is enough to receive Christ’s forgiveness and the graces of the sacrament. At one point in time (I can’t recall exactly when) during a discussion on this topic some CAF members stated that even simply fear of going to hell is enough to constitute imperfect contrition.

Is this really the case? Is simply being afraid of God’s just punishments enough to receive the Sacrament of Reconcilation without abusing the sacrament? I know that the penitent would obviously also have to sincerely resolve to cease sinning against God. But it just seems amazing to me that simply fearing hell could be enough, not that I doubt God’s mercy, I just wanted some confirmation on this particular question. Also, if anyone can supply me with an official statement by the Church to this effect or even a statement from one of the saints that would be very helpful. Thanks.
 
jtodisco said:
So I know that the Church teaches that when receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation that, while perfect contrition is obviously preferable, that imperfect contrition is enough to receive Christ’s forgiveness and the graces of the sacrament. At one point in time (I can’t recall exactly when) during a discussion on this topic some CAF members stated that even simply fear of going to hell is enough to constitute imperfect contrition.

Is this really the case? Is simply being afraid of God’s just punishments enough to receive the Sacrament of Reconcilation without abusing the sacrament? I know that the penitent would obviously also have to sincerely resolve to cease sinning against God. But it just seems amazing to me that simply fearing hell could be enough, not that I doubt God’s mercy, I just wanted some confirmation on this particular question. Also, if anyone can supply me with an official statement by the Church to this effect or even a statement from one of the saints that would be very helpful. Thanks./QUOT)

“To recieve the sacrament of penance worthily imperfect contrition is sufficent”
(Baltimore Catechism #3, page 229, question 401)

“Our contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins because they are hateful in themselves or because we fear God’s punishment”
(Baltimore catechism #3, page 229, question 400)
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Is simply being afraid of God’s just punishments enough to receive the Sacrament of Reconcilation without abusing the sacrament?
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You’re in good company!

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Psalm 111:10, 34.
Proverbs 9:10, 1:7, 16:6
Acts 17:11
Job 28:28
Sirach 2:8
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
2Cor 5:11, 2Cor 7:1.
 
Jtodisco,

Also The Baltimore Catechism says by way of #391 that** "Our sorrow is interior when it comes from our hearts, and not merely our lips. This means we must not only say we are sorry, but we must mean it.** (the next is the biggie)
**We must want to be sorry even though we cannot always feel it."

The italics are the BC’s, not mine! 🙂
Pax
 
To receive absolution in the Sacrament of Penance, one must have attrition (ie: imperfect contrition). Perfect contriction comes into play when one tries to makes a “Perfect Act of Contrition” in order to be reconciled outside of the Sacrament of Penance. This is why the priest asks you to say an Act of Contrition before he gives you absolution. He needs to be certain of attrition in the penitant.
 
The perfect contrition requires so deep adherence and love to God, that one does not sins any more; as if one loves his/her spouse, one does not cheats of her/him.

Every contrition (and most of that comes from the fear of the Hell) had to be accompanied with the resolution not to sin and the avoidance of the occasions of sin.
 
=jtodisco;7869594]So I know that the Church teaches that when receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation that, while perfect contrition is obviously preferable, that imperfect contrition is enough to receive Christ’s forgiveness and the graces of the sacrament. At one point in time (I can’t recall exactly when) during a discussion on this topic some CAF members stated that even simply fear of going to hell is enough to constitute imperfect contrition.
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Is this really the case? Is simply being afraid of God’s just punishments enough to receive the Sacrament of Reconcilation without abusing the sacrament? I know that the penitent would obviously also have to sincerely resolve to cease sinning against God. But it just seems amazing to me that simply fearing hell could be enough, not that I doubt God’s mercy, I just wanted some confirmation on this particular question. Also, if anyone can supply me with an official statement by the Church to this effect or even a statement from one of the saints that would be very helpful. Thanks.
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MAYBE! :o

Only If and WHEN COMBINED with a proper Sacramnetal Confession. God know that we are NOT perfect; but that is the end goal; perhpas never reached in this lifetime?

Does this ring a bell?

“because I fear the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.” Or is this nolonger taught? This is part of the “act of Contrition” of the RCC.

In addition to the fear one MUST also be TRULY repentant and sincerly committed to with GODS HELP, void that sin in the future.:o

FROM THE CATECHISM:

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.

**1492 **Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called “perfect” contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called “imperfect.”

1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.”

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

God Bless,
Pat
 
Is atrition really necesarry if we have perfect contrition? If we just ask Jesus to give us the grace to be perfectly contrite He always will. I read that in the Chatechism.

You are welcome for the quotes.
Mikayla
 
=Lucky10279;7872601]Is atrition really necesarry if we have perfect contrition? If we just ask Jesus to give us the grace to be perfectly contrite He always will. I read that in the Chatechism.
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You are welcome for the quotes.
Mikayla
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1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution.*** By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.***

1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.”

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity**). Such contrition remits venial sins;** it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

SORRY!😊 Mikayla

Could you share where it is found?

God Bless,
Pat
 
Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I did in fact know that one must be sincere when seeking forgiveness and have a desire to cease sinning (as I think I mentioned in my OP). But it is always good to mention such things for anyone reading this thread who may not know. Anyway, again I do appreciate the feedback and especially the quotes from the Baltimore Catechism on imperfect contrition.
 
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