Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (Confession)

[meltzerboy]

I’m interested in finding out what the rationale is, according to the Catholic Church and Scripture, for Confession if the penitent is not at all sincere about rectifying their behavior. IOW, if one confesses and is, at the same time, thinking that after Confession one will simply resume one’s sinful behavior, is the Sacrament still valid despite this (very) imperfect act of contrition, and, if so, why? Thank you for your responses.

 

[Monkey1976]

I’m interested in finding out what the rationale is, according to the Catholic Church and Scripture, for Confession if the penitent is not at all sincere about rectifying their behavior. IOW, if one confesses and is, at the same time, thinking that after Confession one will simply resume one’s sinful behavior, is the Sacrament still valid despite this (very) imperfect act of contrition, and, if so, why? Thank you for your responses.

My understanding is that if one makes a confession with no intention of amendment and without contrition, then the sacrament is not only invalid, but the person has added to their burden with the sins of presumption (presuming upon His Mercy) and impiety (misuse of a Sacrament).

 

[meltzerboy]

My understanding is that if one makes a confession with no intention of amendment and without contrition, then the sacrament is not only invalid, but the person has added to their burden with the sins of presumption (presuming upon His Mercy) and impiety (misuse of a Sacrament).

Thanks for the information. However, if the confession is similar to an act of imperfect contrition, in that it is more targeted toward fear of one’s mortal sins leading them to hell than sincere love of G-d and fellow man, would that be acceptable? That is, what is the “ratio” of sincerity and atonement required for a confession to be valid? Must it be an act of perfect contrition?

 

[Zekariya]

Thanks for the information. However, if the confession is similar to an act of imperfect contrition, in that it is more targeted toward fear of one’s mortal sins leading them to hell than sincere love of G-d and fellow man, would that be acceptable? That is, what is the “ratio” of sincerity and atonement required for a confession to be valid? Must it be an act of perfect contrition?

Imperfect contrition does not exist in someone that plans on committing the mortal sin again because any sort of contrition requires that one must firmly resolve to amend one’s way of life. Without that resolution, there is no contrition, perfect or imperfect.

“O my God, I am heartily, sorry for having offended Thee; and I detest my sins above every other evil, because they displease Thee, my God, Who for Thine infinite goodness art so deserving of all my love; and I firmly resolve, by Thy holy grace, never more to offend Thee, and to amend my life.”

 

[L_Marshall]

My response isn’t the most profound, but I’ve found that this video is one of the best explanations on a very basic level. I’ve used it in CCD for years: