I’m more just asking out of simple curiosity. The thing I like about the CC is that you have a level of anonymity, correct? The Lutheran church doesn’t have confessionals…so it’s like face-to-face conversation…awkward. Lol :ehh:
After Vatican II face-to-face confession became more common among Catholics. As a convert, I personally prefer face-to-face, it is more natural and I am able to make a better more thorough confession.
That really depends on where you go. For example, where I live, there are confessionals, but at times the Priest will talk to you face to face in the pew. When I was younger, we had a few Priests administer confession to us in a couple empty rooms in the library, but it was, again, a face to face conversation. It really depends on where you go. However, the Confessional is usually there.
Just to clarify…Face to face is perhaps mor common now, but behind the screen is still provided for and allowed.
I’ve never confessed sins to a person before, so perhaps it’s just a matter of me not being accustomed to it.Neither am I an expert on this but let me ask you this…
The way it was explained to me that made perfect sense was that:
Understood…So the question remains…If you love God will you break a promise to Him (getting to confession)? If you fail to get to confession do you truly love God?
I think sometimes there are events beyond our control such as fatal car accident on way to confession.
I think, for a non-Catholic to receive the sacrament of reconciliation from a Catholic priest would require one to be in agreement with the Catholic Church’s beliefs regarding the sacrament. I think other conditions must be met, like danger of death or being in the process of conversion. If you were interested in possibly receiving the sacrament of reconciliation from a priest, I’d recommend calling one up to discuss it.
Exactly the two questions that popped into my mind as I considered this issue.
You are certainly correct in this statement, however if one, out of pure neglect, did not follow up with confession, I would have to say that they would be committing an additional sin and that the purported “perfect contrition” would not have been so perfect and the guilt would remain until they did confess.I think sometimes there are events beyond our control such as fatal car accident on way to confession.
Actually, during the Mass, at the recitation of the Confetitor, venial sins are forgiven to make us clean prior to communion. But when we go to confession, we should also confess venial sins as part of our spiritual growth.
Well, that is why going to confession is not an easy thing to do. We catholics do not find it easy. It takes a recognition of your transgression, accuse oneself of the transgression and find the courage to account for that sin to the priest, who we know is acting “in persona Christi”.Hmm…that just seems like it would be so uncomfortable…face to face, I mean.
Thanks Steve - my first Confession was actually made as a Protestant in the dessert - I can say it provided me a lot of Grace - it did take me three years to make my conversion to Catholicism (I wasn’t done partying yet and I wasn’t convert until I was ready to behave).
I’m happy to let the Catholics answer this, but on the next part…
It is wierd, and not what the confessions teach. We do more than not “underestimate” it. The confessions are clear as to the necessity of confession to a pastor/confessor. Every Sunday, you confess to a pastor/confessor, and he responds, “as a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all of your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit”. This is not “going directly or privately to God”, though we can do that, too, as the Lord’s Prayer says. The special thing about confession to a pastor/confessor is his speaking of Absolution, the clear certainlty that your sins our forgiven.
In fact, Christ gave this authority to the Church to forgive sins in this manner.Am I correct in assuming that the Catholic Church believes that such a form of confession is invalid? That seems like it takes the authority to forgive away from God…
I had always thought that Martin Luther, and by extension Lutheranism, believed in confession and absolution. I wasn’t sure what emphasis was placed on it, though. I can see now it is viewed as very important. Do Lutherans not generally practice it?
Private confession is beginning to make some return to Lutheran practice, as it always has been Lutheran teaching, to the extent that some parishes have installed confessionals for this purpose. But face to face, or in a confessional, the Pastor is bound to privacy of the confessional just like a Catholic priest is. It seems to me if you want annonimity, seek out a Lutheran pastor at a different parish.
Not enough, including myself
. I don’t go nearly often enough. But, it seems to making something of a return among confessional Lutherans. I suspect that the big difference is, compared to Catholics, is a different view of mortal sin, as regarding the necessity of private confession in order to receive absolution.Hi Jon!
