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Sirach14
Guest
" Can a non-Catholic Christian receive the sacrament of penance?"
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kepha1
Guest
No, but…
the *Code of Canon Law *makes an exception in emergency cases: “If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic administers may licitly administer these sacraments (penance, eucharist, and anointing of the sick) to other Christians … who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest the Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed” (Canon 844, No.4).
catholicherald.com/saunders/97ws/ws970710.htm
(scroll half way down)
kepha1
the *Code of Canon Law *makes an exception in emergency cases: “If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic administers may licitly administer these sacraments (penance, eucharist, and anointing of the sick) to other Christians … who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest the Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed” (Canon 844, No.4).
catholicherald.com/saunders/97ws/ws970710.htm
(scroll half way down)
kepha1
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mercygate
Guest
Otherwise, the answer would be no. A baptized Christian who is seeking admission into the Catholic Church is admitted to this sacrament prior to Confirmation and Eucharist. So you might think that this is the same thing as a Christian from another denomination approaching a priest for Confession but candidates for Confirmation are admitted to the sacrament only when they are deemed to be adequately catechized.
Confession is one of the GREAT reasons to be Catholic!
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Sir_Knight
Guest
Why would a non-Catholic, who doesn’t beleive in the Catholic faith, want to receive the sacrament of Penance? And if they do believe in the Catholic faith, then they should become Catholic.
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tiberswimmer
Guest
I am an evangelical who is convinced of the truth of the RCC. I have slowed my pilgrimage for my loving, Christian wife of 18 years to catch up to me. I am hopeful, prayerful, and believing that God, in His abundant grace, is calling us, in our oneness as spouses, into the Church together. I am ready to cross the river, but remain swimming in it for now. That being said, I am a baptized Christian, in full agreement with the teachings of the Church, yet not able to partake of the sacraments. I have read much over the past 2 years. I have much to learn, but at the same time have a broad grasp of Catholic teaching, likely beyond the level of a basic RCIA course. (i.e. I would guess that I am “adequately catechized.”) I would love to be able to partake in the sacrament of penance now during this waiting period. Is this possible?
Tiberswimmer
Tiberswimmer
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theMutant
Guest
I’m afraid that the answer is no. The reason is that, although you believe, you are holding back. Your reason may be noble in a sense but you should discuss the matter with your wife (you probably already have). Would your marriage suffer somehow if you entered the Church now and your wife continued her own spiritual path? If you can assure her that your entrance into the Church will not be used to pressure her to do the same, that you will be willing to learn and answer any questions she has about the faith without trying to force her to make a decision for which she is not ready, you should be able to complete the process of joining the Church without delay.
I am not claiming that there will not be difficulties. I have read many accounts of married Evangelicals who converted and there were certainly issues.
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Annunciata
Guest
Hi Tiberswimmer,
And welcome! I pray it will be soon and in the meantime, I’ll keep you and your wife in my prayers!:clapping:
God Bless You, Annunciata
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sabrinaofmn
Guest
I received the sacrament prior to even starting RCIA, which I have now started. I read up on it, and my status is equivalent to a school child who has not yet received confirmation nor the Eucharist.
I wanted to receive the sacrament, and I called the parish office. My call wasn’t returned, so I just showed up at the confessional. I went around the divider, told the priest that I was Protestant looking to convert and wanting to make a confession . . . he was understandably confused and refused to hear my confession. He gave me a blessing, and I went on my way.
I soon went to the parish office and requested to receive the sacrament. The priest took me into his office, heard my confession, absolved me of my sins, and now I am in RCIA.
My study led me to believe that I was eligible for the sacrament, which is why I pursued it so vigorously.
I returned once later to confess some sins that I forgot about, so I’ve been twice.
The priest then told me that he shouldn’t have heard my confession because I hadn’t been initiated into the church. He’s now working on speeding up this initiation rite, which I had never heard of. He thinks that it should be soon after the start of RCIA rather than later. He regrets giving me the sacrament because I wasn’t yet initiated into the church. I didn’t even know that there was an initiation prior to confirmation, so now I’m confused.
That’s my story . . .
I wanted to receive the sacrament, and I called the parish office. My call wasn’t returned, so I just showed up at the confessional. I went around the divider, told the priest that I was Protestant looking to convert and wanting to make a confession . . . he was understandably confused and refused to hear my confession. He gave me a blessing, and I went on my way.
I soon went to the parish office and requested to receive the sacrament. The priest took me into his office, heard my confession, absolved me of my sins, and now I am in RCIA.
My study led me to believe that I was eligible for the sacrament, which is why I pursued it so vigorously.
I returned once later to confess some sins that I forgot about, so I’ve been twice.
The priest then told me that he shouldn’t have heard my confession because I hadn’t been initiated into the church. He’s now working on speeding up this initiation rite, which I had never heard of. He thinks that it should be soon after the start of RCIA rather than later. He regrets giving me the sacrament because I wasn’t yet initiated into the church. I didn’t even know that there was an initiation prior to confirmation, so now I’m confused.
That’s my story . . .
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Sir_Knight
Guest
That is correct. He should NOT have heard your confession and I wonder if it even was valid.
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mercygate
Guest
Sir Knight:
One’s general confession upon coming into the Church can be a true watershed experieince. I would advise not rushing it, and preparing in a prayerful and patient way. A general confession must begin with the words – even if they are unspoken – “I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches.” I will never forget walking into that room – technically still Anglican, and walking out Catholic.
God bless your desire. The longing for Confession is truly a very great grace. Think of how many people dread this beautiful Sacrament!
One RCIA candidate on this board felt the same longing for confession and went to a priest during “hours” and told the priest what his situation was. The priest agreed to hear his confession but when it came time to pronounce the absolution, he clearly stated that his intention could not be to confer absolution according to the canons of the Church and made a provisional absolution instead. This was very helpful to the RCIA candidate, and he is looking forward to “the real thing” when the time comes.
One’s general confession upon coming into the Church can be a true watershed experieince. I would advise not rushing it, and preparing in a prayerful and patient way. A general confession must begin with the words – even if they are unspoken – “I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches.” I will never forget walking into that room – technically still Anglican, and walking out Catholic.
God bless your desire. The longing for Confession is truly a very great grace. Think of how many people dread this beautiful Sacrament!
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mercygate
Guest
Sir Knight:
One’s general confession upon coming into the Church can be a true watershed experieince. I would advise not rushing it, and preparing in a prayerful and patient way. A general confession must begin with the words – even if they are unspoken – “I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches.” I will never forget walking into that room – technically still Anglican, and walking out Catholic.
God bless your desire. The longing for Confession is truly a very great grace. Think of how many people dread this beautiful Sacrament!
One RCIA candidate on this board felt the same longing for confession and went to a priest during “hours” and told the priest what his situation was. The priest agreed to hear his confession but when it came time to pronounce the absolution, he clearly stated that his intention could not be to confer absolution according to the canons of the Church and made a provisional absolution instead. This was very helpful to the RCIA candidate, and he is looking forward to “the real thing” when the time comes.
One’s general confession upon coming into the Church can be a true watershed experieince. I would advise not rushing it, and preparing in a prayerful and patient way. A general confession must begin with the words – even if they are unspoken – “I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches.” I will never forget walking into that room – technically still Anglican, and walking out Catholic.
God bless your desire. The longing for Confession is truly a very great grace. Think of how many people dread this beautiful Sacrament!
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theMutant
Guest
Your confusion lies in that you (apparently) were not raised Catholic. It sounds like you have been validly baptized but not formally catechized. This is the difference. Catholic children receive the sacrament of Penance prior to Communion and Confirmation. Your state is similar but also significantly different. Technically, you are not a catechumen (a term signifying a non-Christian) but a candidate (a term signifying a non-Catholic Christian). The RCIA program is really intended for catechumens although candidates often come into the Church through the same process.
In comparing your case to the child raised Catholic and who receives Penance prior to Eucharist and Confirmation, that child has typically gone through formal catechesis (run by the Church) before being admitted to Confession. In your case, unless I am misinterpreting your statements, your catechesis is from personal study. This should not present a problem because, if you have studied well, the priest can easily accelerate the process for you.
Regarding the “why” of it all. The Church has a responsibility to ensure that the Sacraments are not profaned. Therefore, she must take some steps to ensure that those who approach the Sacraments know what it is that they are asking to receive and the significance and responsibilities that receiving places upon them. At the same time, you can still go to “confession” without receiving the Sacrament by simply advising the priest that you are not yet a Catholic before you start confessing your sins. In this case, the priest will give you advice and a blessing but not absolution. Many non-Catholics do this. I recommend that you consider this while you complete your journey into the Church.
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