SSPX and confession before Easter

[jmcrae]

excommunication? So why would one mortal sin be forgiven and not another? I’m not so sure. I’m 55 so this isn’t my fate. But I’m sure this happens much more than you would think and the seriousness is not even understood. We are so far out of wack with this. I could easily see that. But this is also a matter of mortal sin and confession etc.

If someone has had an abortion or participated in an abortion in any way (recommended the abortion, drove the woman to the clinic, showed her how to fill out the paperwork, held the instruments of death for the abortionist, prepared the poison, actually committed the abortion, cleaning up after the abortion, etc.), then in order to be received back to the Sacraments, she or he must make an appointment with his or her Bishop, who will then direct the person according to their own situation, what to do.

But if (and it boggles the mind to imagine how out of touch with reality one would have to be) the person was completely unaware that an abortion results in the death of an innocent human being, and had consented to an abortion, or participated in an abortion, then if they were to die before they went to the Bishop, God would take pity on their genuine ignorance. God will not be mocked, however, and someone “playing dumb” might easily fool the Bishop, but will not fool God.

Abortion is not the subject of this thread, though, so let’s get back on topic before a Moderator steps in.

 

[damooster]

excommunication? Not so…So why would one mortal sin be forgiven and not another? I’m not so sure. I’m 55 so this isn’t my fate. But I’m sure this happens much more than you would think and the seriousness is not even understood. We are so far out of wack with this. I could easily see that. But this is also a matter of mortal sin and confession etc.

Canon Law 1398. And you should also do some reading on excommunication.

 

[gentle_atheist]

Sarah,

I guess what it all comes down to is doing what you think is most pleasing to God. The very fact that you are worrying about this shows your sincere desire to abide by Church teachings and your deep respect for the sacraments. So that in itself must be pleasing to God.

Now the question is, do you think that God is a miser with His mercy? Do you think that He’s looking to catch you on a technicality? Do you think that He’s pleased that you have that image of Him?

As much as I loved the pre-Vatican II Church I must admit that one of its faults was that its priests were often too focused on the letter of the law rather than on the spirit of the law. Don’t let that happen to you. Don’t lose sight of the big picture. The laws are there to help you grow in God’s grace, not to be a stumbling block to that grace.

 

[Orleans_Attny]

If someone has had an abortion or participated in an abortion in any way (recommended the abortion, drove the woman to the clinic, showed her how to fill out the paperwork, held the instruments of death for the abortionist, prepared the poison, actually committed the abortion, cleaning up after the abortion, etc.), then in order to be received back to the Sacraments, she or he must make an appointment with his or her Bishop, who will then direct the person according to their own situation, what to do.

But if (and it boggles the mind to imagine how out of touch with reality one would have to be) the person was completely unaware that an abortion results in the death of an innocent human being, and had consented to an abortion, or participated in an abortion, then if they were to die before they went to the Bishop, God would take pity on their genuine ignorance. God will not be mocked, however, and someone “playing dumb” might easily fool the Bishop, but will not fool God.

Abortion is not the subject of this thread, though, so let’s get back on topic before a Moderator steps in.

Most Bishops in the US have delegated the ability to relieve someone from excommunication latae sententiae that results from an abortion to the parish priests. Your local parish priest should know, and the Bishop’s office can certainly tell you if that’s the case in your diocese. For example my diocese says:

“By this faculty a priest-chaplain may remit an excommunication attached to the procurement of abortion or that attached to apostasy, heresy, or schism. A salutary penance should be imposed.”

Pax,
OA

 

[mick321]

OK… I need some help here. I’m hoping this won’t turn into a huge debate, I’m just looking for an answer/advice.

I will be confirmed and receive first communion this Saturday at the Easter Vigil. I have already made my first confession a few weeks ago since I was previously baptized.

Well I messed up and now have a mortal sin I need to confess. The only problem is that there are no parishes around me hearing confession between now and Easter. I tried to go last night which was the last time I could find for confessions and even with three priests hearing for an hour they still were not able to get to me and a majority of the other penitents. The only priest hearing confession that I can find between now and Easter is an SSPX priest.

I’m somewhat aware of the difficulties with their Reconciliations from what I’ve read on here. But if I can’t find another priest that will hear my confession, is there some provision that would make an SSPX confession valid? And if not, then what am I supposed to do?

Thanks in advance for replies.

• You claim to be Catholic.
• You claim to have committed a mortal sin.
• You claim to have a desire for absolution.

If if you have been truthful about these facts, you have one option only. Receive the Sacrament of Penance from a priest who has faculties to grant absolution.

Contact your parish. Find out the names of each priest. Make a record of those names. Speak to each priest personally, briefly run down your situation and make it clear that you need the Sacrament now. Not tomorrow, not an hour from now. RIGHT NOW. Be prepared to get yourself to the location of his choice at the prescribed time. If you are further stonewalled, contact your bishops office before close of business and name names. If they can’t get you a confessor within the hour, insist that the bishop hear your confession personally.

I would forget about the SSPX for Penance until Society priests have been granted proper faculties. Ultimately, it’s your choice alone. And you’re going to have to call it. I can’t call it for you. That wouldn’t be fair.

 

[Orleans_Attny]

Really I never knew that about commiting a mortal sin out of accident. So then what of all those who use the legal rite of abortion in the past what? 40 years. I’m sure this practice has become so non chalant that its not even thought of as a mortal sin. So this would also apply to them?

I’m unaware of a “legal rite of abortion.” If you mean a right under the civil law, then that’s wholly disconnected from Church dogma. And it’s hard for me to believe that there are many people who don’t know that abortion is considered an intrinsic evil - even if they don’t personnally agree.

Pax,
OA

 

[MikeDunphy]

By the way, you also can’t receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the state of mortal sin, either.

Just wanted to highlight this point.

From a parish website:
Should you receive Confirmation in the state of mortal sin?
A. No.

What kind of sin would it be to receive Confirmation in the state of mortal sin?
A. Sacrilege

From an old manual of instructions in Christian (Catholic) doctrine:
A Sacrament is valid when the matter and form instituted by Christ are duly applied by the minister of the Sacrament to one who is capable and willing to receive it. A Sacrament is received lawfully, when, in addition to what is required for its valid reception, there are also in the recipient the dispositions required to obtain the grace of the Sacrament. Thus, he who received confirmation in the state of mortal sin would receive a valid Sacrament, that is to say, he would be really confirmed; but instead of receiving the grace of confirmation, he would commit a sacrilege.

If you cannot get to confession before Saturday evening, perhaps you should wait to be confirmed. Maybe, you are not in a state of mortal sin. Maybe, the SSPX priest can validly hear your confession. Maybe, it is ok to make an act of perfect contrition now, and go to Confession later, in order to spare yourself some embarrassment. But it is foolish to gamble. A lot of parishes offer extra confession times today and tomorrow, call around! If they don’t, emphasize that you need to speak briefly with a priest, maybe word will get to one who will have pity on you.

You have a funny sig, but if necessary, don’t be afraid to come across as a religious nut, at least this once. (Die to self and live in Christ). This is your one and only confirmation coming up, it cannot be repeated and ought to be done right!

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

The Holy Father has stated that the SSPX has no legitimate ministry within the Church.

The hearing of Confessions requires faculties which an SSPX priest does not have so any confession to one is invalid, it would be like you confessed your sins to anyone on the street, unless there is an emergency as laid out in Canon Law.

Just having mortal sin is not an emergency.

 

[michaeldaniels]

Making an act of perfect contrition is not as easy as it would seem…most feel sorrow for their sins out of fear of hell…which I fall into that category the majority of times…granted there are times my contrition has been perfect…but either way, I do not and will not receive Communion unless I have received absolution from a priest…I do not want to chance it.

No problem. Just make an act of perfect contrition now with the intent of going to Confession as soon as possible. Just be sure to follow through with Confession as soon as possible.

I’m very sympathetic to the SSPX but their power to grant absolution is questionable due to jurisdictional issues. On the other hand, SSPX priests are very orthodox. You never know what you will get with a diocesan priest.

1983 Code of Canon Law
Canon 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
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.
**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.

 

[michaeldaniels]

First off…please forgive my arrogance, but I have a really hard time when an atheist tries to give a Catholic advice on whether or not their contrition is perfect and whether or not that Catholic should receive Communion. Grave reason means in time of death or extreme illness or circumstance which may lead to death. One can still be confirmed without receiving Holy Communion that evening…granted, it would suck really bad to have to wait until being able to go to confession and receive at a later time…but let us not forget that Confirmation is a Qualification for a convert to receive The Most Blessed Sacrament, not vice versa…and the Neophyte can still be confirmed and defer to receive The Eucharist after a valid sacramental confession. I would hate to think that the first act of a newly confirmed Catholic was to sacriligeously receive Holy Communion…that is an abomination and truly a Mortal Sin. If you can’t make it to confession, then receive Confirmation, which you will be endowed with the 7 gifts and you will be led by The Holy Spirit to have patience to receive until you are in a state of grace.

Sarah,

Are you sorry for your sins because they hurt God? Or are you sorry for your sins because you are afraid of God’s punishment. If your answer is the first reason, or primarily the first reason, then it’s perfect contrition. But if it’s only for the second reason, then it’s imperfect contrition.

As for being a grave reason, I say “yes.” You’ve been preparing for this day for some time, correct? If you called it off you would be telling everyone that you’re in mortal sin. Would God expect you to do that? Suppose this were your wedding day, would you call that off?

Don’t be scrupulous. Don’t be Martin Luther.

 

[MikeDunphy]

To receive confirmation in a state of mortal sin would also be a sacrilege.

In a related thread last year, japhy wrote:
*From various Catechisms…

Trent: “Confirmation, unless some obstacle be present on the part of the receiver, imparts new grace.”

Baltimore: “To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace.” (173)

Pius X: “To receive worthily the sacrament of Confirmation it is necessary to be in the grace of God; know the principal mysteries of our holy faith; and approach it with reverence and devotion.” (Confirmation, 14)

Contemporary: “To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (1310) *

The CCC repeats in paragraph 1319 that to receive Confirmation one *must *be in the state of grace.

I would hate to think that the first act of a newly confirmed Catholic was to sacriligeously receive Holy Communion…that is an abomination and truly a Mortal Sin. If you can’t make it to confession, then receive Confirmation, which you will be endowed with the 7 gifts and you will be led by The Holy Spirit to have patience to receive until you are in a state of grace.

 

[MikeDunphy]

First off…please forgive my arrogance, but I have a really hard time when an atheist tries to give a Catholic advice on whether or not their contrition is perfect and whether or not that Catholic should receive Communion.

I do not agree with the advice of “Gentle Atheist” either, but I was glad to see it offered with such respect for the Faith and with such earnest good will. He is attempting to assist Sarah toward a goal he cannot himself yet approach. I hope that this good work is a sign that God is at work in his soul, preparing him for a time when he too, with a clear conscience, may enter (or re-enter) the Church.

On this day, our Lord led many just souls from limbo to the paradise which they could not attain by their own efforts. May He also lead “Gentle Atheist” and others of good will by the gift of faith to the light and joy that cannot be reached by unaided reason alone.