View of Confession

[zcharry]

I wrote this as a question in another thread but would like to expand on it to get a wider understanding of how people feel or view this doctrine of the Catholic Church. I have read the Catholic Catechism view on this topic.

I would like to know why you would feel that God would forgive your venial sins coming to him through Jesus Christ but would deny you forgiveness for a mortal sin without a Priest. What for the person who is injuried and will not get to confess to a Priest?
Would God deny a faithful Christian eternal live because a man (Priest) was not there to give absolution at the last hour. If God would forgive him without a Priest, would he not at other times even when it was not your last hour?
Please to not get me wrong. I respect your faith and I’m not saying you are wrong or trying to change your mind, I just do not understand the reason behind a Priest being needed.

Your Brother in Christ

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

The forgiveness of all sins - venial and mortal - is to be received only through the priesthood. The difference is that dying with venial sins on our soul won’t condemn our souls to hell.

From a past article of mine:

(Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 15 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 16 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:21-23 NAB)

This passage is the key to understanding the Sacrament of Confession. In this passage Jesus gave the eleven apostles the ability to forgive sins. This was not a symbolic act but one of true and lasting importance. The only other reference to God breathing upon someone is in Genesis 2:7, when God breathed upon Adam and gave Him life. In this reference we understand that God is truly giving the eleven apostles this profound ability to forgive sins just as He truly gave Adam life. Jesus was not giving this ability to everyone. He didn’t tell this to the group of His followers. Rather, He told it only to His disciples, the men that would become the first bishops.

Some people ask, “Just because God gave the apostles the power doesn’t mean that this is the only way to have our sins forgiven.” Really? Would anyone mind tell me another way because Jesus mentions only one way to have sins forgiven - through the apostles (who began to be called bishops and priests). Jesus would go through the streets of Jerusalem and heal and forgive those that desired forgiveness. But today Jesus is not walking in the streets. Before Our Lord’s Ascension, He gave the apostles the duty to go forth and forgive sins; He never told anyone to pray to Him for forgiveness. Today we have the priests and bishops to forgive our sins by the power of God.

…

In Matthew Chapter Nine, Jesus forgives a man’s sins and St. Matthew in the Gospel writes: “When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings” (Matt 9:8). The point remains that God has given this authority to forgive sins to the apostles who in turn passed it to their successors. This process called the imposition or laying on of hands has ensured that today’s priests and bishops can forgive sins. CatholicBridge.com has a great article on Confession including the imposition of hands.

 

[zcharry]

Would anyone mind tell me another way because Jesus mentions only one way to have sins forgiven :

What about James 5: 15,16.
It clearly states to confess our sins to one another

God Bless

 

[zcharry]

Would anyone mind tell me another way because Jesus mentions only one way to have sins forgiven:

Luke 18:9-14
Jesus talks about the tax collector standing off in the distance praying to God to be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus states that he left justified.
This says to me that prayer to God for confession of sins will get us justified.
I’m not saying that confessing to a Priest is wrong, but for our forgiveness of sin we can go straight to God asking for that forgiveness.

 

[Mordocai]

What about James 5: 15,16.
It clearly states to confess our sins to one another

God Bless

In Scripture, whenever you see a “therefore” you must ask yourself “What’s the therefore there for?”

James ch 5
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
The word therefore is the key word. Notice is in verse 14 “summon the presbyters of the church”
so, then, while the presbyters are present, they should pray over him and anoint him with oil (this is where the sacrament of annointing of the sick comes from. i do not know of any other denomination that does this? i could be wrong) and because the presbyter does this, the prayer of faith will save the sick person." if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" next verse, “therefore, confess your sins to one another”
therefore, while the presybter is present, confess your sins to one another.
in the early church, confession was often made publically, while the presybter/priest was present.

more could be said, but yes, the james verses actually lend to confession of sins to one with authority to forgive them.
it is Christ’s love to want to assure us and to forgive us personally through His Priest.
so in a very real sense, confessing your sins to a Priest is going even more directly to God.

 

[Mordocai]

i found this helpful

catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0301sbs.asp

 

[Deidre]

James ch 5
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
.

I love this verse also when trying to explain confession. Check out verses 14 and 15 about calling the presbyters of the church to pray over you when you’re sick. Does this mean that God cannot heal you if a priest doesn’t pray over you? Of course not! God can choose to administer His grace to anyone He chooses in any situation He chooses. But it’s clear from the above passages that the normal way He chooses to administer this grace is through the ministry of His church.

It’s the same with confession. He can choose to forgive our sins in any circumstance He wants. But it’s clear from Scripture, both John and James, that the normal way He chooses to forgive sins is through the ministry of His church. And if we’re bold enough to ask forgiveness, shouldn’t we do it on His terms, not ours?

Jesus told the apostles, “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven.” So when Catholics go to confession and hear the words of absolution by the priest, we are assured that our sins are forgiven.

But Jesus also told the apostles, “whose sins you do not forgive, they are not forgiven?” Clearly, from the above passage, God does retain some sins. If you don’t hear the words of absolution from the priest, how can you be sure that your sins are forgiven?

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

What about James 5: 15,16.
It clearly states to confess our sins to one another

God Bless

Of course we should confess our faults to others, but the true forgiveness that the Gospel even discusses is only found in the Sacrament of Confession. This is what the early Christians believed.

 

[Mordocai]

And if we’re bold enough to ask forgiveness, shouldn’t we do it on His terms, not ours?

I liked this point you made. God certainly has ways of doing things, and we should not expect Him to act according to our comfort level. In fact, the whole point of confessing sins to a priest is to help ensure that the sin will not be repeated! It takes humility to confess verbally to another man. It takes courage also to accept God’s ways are not our ways.

I actually just went to confession earlier. I was not at peace at ALL before, and then when I heard the words of absolution, it was a rush

 

[BobP123]

I’m not saying that confessing to a Priest is wrong, but for our forgiveness of sin we can go straight to God asking for that forgiveness.

Through an act of perfect contrition God will forgive us our sins but we still need to confess to a priest as soon as we are able. Only through a priest will we be “worthy enough” to receive the Precious Body and Blood of our Savior. Church determines such worthiness of receiving.

 

[dylanschrader]

Quite frankly, Christ established a sacrament for the forgiveness of grave sins committed after baptism because he knew that people would commit gave sins after baptism.

Why confess your sins to a priest? Because Penance is a sacrament. No one can administer a sacrament to himself. Christ established sacraments because of our human nature. He knows that we need visible, bodily encounters with him. Without the sacraments, those who lived on earth at the same time as Christ would have been the only ones to have an entire–body and soul–person-to-person encounter with Christ. But, Christ desires to redeem each of us totally and thus he took on a human body and a human soul. He also established sacraments to give us grace in a visible way, in keeping with our human nature.

Venial sins, by the way, can also be the object of confession, but it is not required to confess them.

Why is it required to confess mortal sins but not venial sins?

Because of the nature of mortal sin. Mortal sin destroys sanctifying grace in the soul. The soul is supernaturally dead, as it was before baptism. Therefore, a sacrament was instituted in order to bring the soul back to life again.

If the soul is only wounded through venial sin, the sacrament is not necessary since the soul is still alive.

As stated above, an act of perfect contrition with the intention to go to confession will restore sanctifying grace to the soul in anticipation of the sacrament.

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

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.

 

[zcharry]

Quite frankly, Christ established a sacrament for the forgiveness of grave sins committed after baptism because he knew that people would commit gave sins after baptism.

Why confess your sins to a priest? Because Penance is a sacrament. No one can administer a sacrament to himself. Christ established sacraments because of our human nature. He knows that we need visible, bodily encounters with him. Without the sacraments, those who lived on earth at the same time as Christ would have been the only ones to have an entire–body and soul–person-to-person encounter with Christ. But, Christ desires to redeem each of us totally and thus he took on a human body and a human soul. He also established sacraments to give us grace in a visible way, in keeping with our human nature.

Venial sins, by the way, can also be the object of confession, but it is not required to confess them.

Why is it required to confess mortal sins but not venial sins?

Because of the nature of mortal sin. Mortal sin destroys sanctifying grace in the soul. The soul is supernaturally dead, as it was before baptism. Therefore, a sacrament was instituted in order to bring the soul back to life again.

If the soul is only wounded through venial sin, the sacrament is not necessary since the soul is still alive.

As stated above, an act of perfect contrition with the intention to go to confession will restore sanctifying grace to the soul in anticipation of the sacrament.

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Can you show me where in scriptures Christ set up the sacrament of the confession.
I will agree that Jesus told his Apostles to forgive sins in his name, and I feel that it is a good practice to go to a Priest for absoultion. I just do not see anywhere in scriptures that say only, or, give the impression a Priest can forgive mortal sin.
I view the Lords Supper as place to have my sins forgiven. Here is what your Catehism say of the forgiveness of sins

1414 As sacrifice, the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God.

Here is a Lutheran (WELS) statement on Holy Communion

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

THE INSTITUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

First: What is the sacrament of Holy Communion?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written?
The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the Apostle Paul tell us: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

THE BLESSINGS OF HOLY COMMUNION

Second: What blessing do we receive through this eating and drinking and drinking?
That is shown us by these words, “Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Through these words we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in this sacrament. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life
and salvation.

THE POWER OF HOLY COMMUNION

Third: How can eating and drinking do such great things?
It is certainly not the eating and drinking that does such things, but the words, "Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. "These words are the main thing in this sacrament, along with the eating and drinking. And whoever believes these words has what they plainly say, the forgiveness of sins.

THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

Fourth: Who, then, is properly prepared to receive this
sacrament?
Fasting and other outward preparations may serve a good purpose, but he is properly prepared who believes these words, “Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But whoever does not believe these words or doubts them is not prepared, because the words “for you” require nothing but hearts that believe.

I’m not saying that it is wrong to confess ones sins to a Priest and is encouraged in the Bible. I just feel that it is a good practice , but not a requirement for your forgivenss of sins.
Holy Communion is for the forgivness of sins so why the two sacraments. Do you not get something during Holy Communion that you get from confessions in the spiritually sense.I know that you get a more personal feeling with a priest, but is the forgivness any different?

God Bless

 

[dylanschrader]

Can you show me where in scriptures Christ set up the sacrament of the confession.
I will agree that Jesus told his Apostles to forgive sins in his name, and I feel that it is a good practice to go to a Priest for absoultion. I just do not see anywhere in scriptures that say only, or, give the impression a Priest can forgive mortal sin.

If Christ can’t forgive mortal sins through a priest, then why would he tell the apostles that whose sins they forgive are forgiven? Isn’t what he says true?

I view the Lords Supper as place to have my sins forgiven. Here is what your Catehism say of the forgiveness of sins

1414 As sacrifice, the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God.

The Eucharist is offered in reparation for sins because it’s the same sacrifice as Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which is offered to the Father in an unbloody sacramental manner. That once-for-all sacrifice of Christ is the source of the forgiveness of sins. That forgiveness is applied to each person, however, normatively in baptism and again, if necessary, in confession.

I’m not saying that it is wrong to confess ones sins to a Priest and is encouraged in the Bible. I just feel that it is a good practice , but not a requirement for your forgivenss of sins.
Holy Communion is for the forgivness of sins so why the two sacraments. Do you not get something during Holy Communion that you get from confessions in the spiritually sense.I know that you get a more personal feeling with a priest, but is the forgivness any different?

God Bless

St. Paul also says that anyone who receives Holy Communion unworthily eats and drinks condemnation on himself. If reception of Holy Communion obtained the remission of mortal sins, then how could it bring condemnation if received unworthily?

The Eucharist does obtain forgiveness of venial sins and increases sanctifying grace when received with the proper disposition.

The primary fruit of the sacrament of the Eucharist is communion, hence the name. It’s the sacrament that brings about and expresses the unity of the Church. Those who are “out of communion” with the Church through mortal sin have to be reconciled to the Church before they can participate.

Basically: people who are alive (no sin) can eat, people who are sick (venial sin) can eat but it is harder, and dead people (mortal sin) cannot eat. Those in a state of mortal sin cannot receive Holy Communion, but the Lord did institute a sacrament for the remission of mortal sins committed after baptism.

Confession isn’t about getting a nice feeling, it’s about trusting Christ rather than our own feelings. If I go to confession, I don’t have to worry about whether I feel forgiven or feel guilty or whatever, I can trust that the sacrament is objectively efficacious because of the authority of Christ himself. The sacrament exists so that we can rely on God rather than on ourselves.

Not to mention that without the sacrament of confession, we would only have a spiritual encounter with Christ to have our sins forgiven, not one that has a visible, bodily element to it.

 

[zcharry]

If Christ can’t forgive mortal sins through a priest, then why would he tell the apostles that whose sins they forgive are forgiven? Isn’t what he says true?

The Eucharist is offered in reparation for sins because it’s the same sacrifice as Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which is offered to the Father in an unbloody sacramental manner. That once-for-all sacrifice of Christ is the source of the forgiveness of sins. That forgiveness is applied to each person, however, normatively in baptism and again, if necessary, in confession.
"

St. Paul also says that anyone who receives Holy Communion unworthily eats and drinks condemnation on himself. If reception of Holy Communion obtained the remission of mortal sins, then how could it bring condemnation if received unworthily?

The Eucharist does obtain forgiveness of venial sins and increases sanctifying grace when received with the proper disposition.

The primary fruit of the sacrament of the Eucharist is communion, hence the name. It’s the sacrament that brings about and expresses the unity of the Church. Those who are “out of communion” with the Church through mortal sin have to be reconciled to the Church before they can participate.

Basically: people who are alive (no sin) can eat, people who are sick (venial sin) can eat but it is harder, and dead people (mortal sin) cannot eat. Those in a state of mortal sin cannot receive Holy Communion, but the Lord did institute a sacrament for the remission of mortal sins committed after baptism.

Confession isn’t about getting a nice feeling, it’s about trusting Christ rather than our own feelings. If I go to confession, I don’t have to worry about whether I feel forgiven or feel guilty or whatever, I can trust that the sacrament is objectively efficacious because of the authority of Christ himself. The sacrament exists so that we can rely on God rather than on ourselves.

Not to mention that without the sacrament of confession, we would only have a spiritual encounter with Christ to have our sins forgiven, not one that has a visible, bodily element to it.

Before I post a reply, I would like you to back up your statements
from either scripture or your catechism. You say there is a difference in mortal sin and venial sin forgiven during communion where is that stated

The statment you make on this does not make sense.

“If I go to confession, I don’t have to worry about whether I feel forgiven or feel guilty or whatever, I can trust that the sacrament is objectively efficacious because of the authority of Christ himself. The sacrament exists so that we can rely on God rather than on ourselves.”

Are you stating that you can go to confession and not feel guilty and you are still forgiven just because you partake in a Sacrament.
Studing the Catholic Catechism and Church doctrine that idea does not come in line while taiking any of the Sacraments.

It is not just an act.

God Bless
.

 

[Deidre]

The catechism teaches that only venial sins are forgiven in the Eucharist. It also teaches that mortal sins must be confessed in the sacrament of penance.

From the CCC

1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic Communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.

1416 Communion with the body and blood of Christ increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins, and preserves him from grave sin. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.

 

[zcharry]

The catechism teaches that only venial sins are forgiven in the Eucharist. It also teaches that mortal sins must be confessed in the sacrament of penance.

From the CCC

1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic Communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.

1416 Communion with the body and blood of Christ increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins, and preserves him from grave sin. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.

Thanks for pointing that out I must of miss that even though it is pretty plain.
I do have a second question if willing?
I could not find anywhere in scpriture where it compares the gravity of sins with the expection of denying the Holy Spirit.
In the CC it states
1854 Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. the distinction between mortal and venial sin, already evident in Scripture,129 became part of the tradition of the Church. It is corroborated by human experience.
Just like to know where it is evident in scripture.
God Bless

 

[Deidre]

These are just a few places that come to mind. I don’t know if there are more or not.

John 19:11 You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.

1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly (venial) he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin (mortal) about which I do not say you should pray. All wrong doing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.

James 1:15 Then after desire is conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin, **when it is full grown gives birth to death.
**

I hope this helps in your research. John 19:11 makes a big impression on me. It seems clear that Jesus distinguishes between levels of sin. If there are greater sins, there have to be lesser ones!

 

[zcharry]

These are just a few places that come to mind. I don’t know if there are more or not.

John 19:11 You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.

1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly (venial) he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin (mortal) about which I do not say you should pray. All wrong doing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.

James 1:15 Then after desire is conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin, **when it is full grown gives birth to death.
**

I hope this helps in your research. John 19:11 makes a big impression on me. It seems clear that Jesus distinguishes between levels of sin. If there are greater sins, there have to be lesser ones!

Thank you for the verses I will studing them.
I would like to throw one at you if I can
In James 2: 10-11
10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet (S)stumbles in one point, he has become (T)guilty of all.

11For He who said, “(U)DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “(V)DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

This to me says clearly that to commit one sin you are guilty of all sins. In Catholic terms someone who commits a vernial sin is guilty of a mortal sin.
I would not disagree that in human reason some sins would be greater or maybe better said more harmful to our Faith. But clearly at least in this passage God views sin all the same or said if you commit one you commit all.
One verse I can responed to is James 1:15
Is not James saying here that if we do not change our ways and let our sin grow ( continue on without repentance)we will be dead in sin.

God Bless you

 

[JimR-OCDS]

VI. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

1440 Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.38

**Only God forgives sin **

1441 Only God forgives sins.39 Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, “The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” and exercises this divine power: "Your sins are forgiven."40 Further, by virtue of his divine authority he gives this power to men to exercise in his name.41

1442 Christ has willed that in her prayer and life and action his whole Church should be the sign and instrument of the forgiveness and reconciliation that he acquired for us at the price of his blood. But he entrusted the exercise of the power of absolution to the apostolic ministry which he charged with the "ministry of reconciliation."42 The apostle is sent out “on behalf of Christ” with “God making his appeal” through him and pleading: "Be reconciled to God."43

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm#II

Confession is the sacrament of reconciliation and penance. It is in this sacrament that we are reconciled to the Church and receive the grace of absolution.

Jim

 

[Deidre]

Thank you for the verses I will studing them.
I would like to throw one at you if I can
In James 2: 10-11
10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet (S)stumbles in one point, he has become (T)guilty of all.

11For He who said, “(U)DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “(V)DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

This to me says clearly that to commit one sin you are guilty of all sins. In Catholic terms someone who commits a vernial sin is guilty of a mortal sin.
I would not disagree that in human reason some sins would be greater or maybe better said more harmful to our Faith. But clearly at least in this passage God views sin all the same or said if you commit one you commit all.
One verse I can responed to is James 1:15
Is not James saying here that if we do not change our ways and let our sin grow ( continue on without repentance)we will be dead in sin.

God Bless you

I went back and read all of James 2 in context. In this chapter James is cautioning against oppressing the poor and showing favortism to the rich. None of the 10 commandments specifically read ‘Thou shalt not oppress the poor’ or ‘Thou shalt not favor the rich’ so I’m thinking some of the early Christians may not have realized they were sinning by showing favoritism to the rich. I think James is explaining that if you do oppress the poor in favor of the rich you are guilty of breaking the law of love as surely as if you murder or commit adultery. (You know how human nature is. Sometimes things have to be spelled out for us!) I don’t really think he’s saying that if we break one law, we’re guilty of breaking ALL laws. I think he’s just saying “Hey, you tend to want to judge murderers, or adulterers as sinners, but you’re not showing love of neighbor so you’re sinning also!” However, just so you know, I’m not sure if there is an ‘official’ Catholic interpretation of this verse. This is just what I get out of it. Somebody else might have a better idea!

Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean when you say “In Catholic terms, someone who commits a venial sin is guilty of a mortal sin.” I’m not sure what gave you that understanding, so I don’t really know how to help you clear it up. That’s not my understanding at all. Venial sins are those of a less serious nature. Mortal sins are alway of grave matter and entered into with full consent and full understanding that the act is wrong.

I agree with your understanding of James 1:15. But I think the sin can be venial at one point, but when we don’t repent or try to correct it, it grows to be mortal (deadly). The church teaches that once the sin is repented for in confession, it can be forgiven and we’re restored to a state of grace.

I hope I’ve helped and not confused you anymore. I think it’s awesome that you’re trying to understand another religion’s point of view.

God Bless you