What is perfect contrition, and is it needed for Confession?

[bluewater]

I heard someone say that when going to Confession a person must have perfect contrition to receive absolution. Can you give me an example of perfect contrition? Thanks.

 

[Fr.Eric_Filmer]

Greetings.

Within the Sacrament of Reconciliation (a.k.a., the Sacrament of Penance, or going to Confession), although the penitent needs to have contrition, such contrition does not have to be perfect in nature. Here is a more detailed elaboration on your question. First of all, the glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines contrition in the following manner:

Contrition: Sorrow of the soul and hatred for the sin committed, together with a resolution not to sin again. Contrition is the most important act of the penitent, and is necessary for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance.

Moreover, contrition is understood as being “perfect” or “imperfect”. The catechism states:

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.

Simply put, imperfect contrition arises from such things as fear of hell, the heinousness of sins, etc., while perfect contrition is motivated by one’s love of God (and the sorrow of having offended him). For more information concerning the topic of contrition (and the distinction between perfect and imperfect contrition), please visit: Catholic Encyclopedia: Contrition.

Although we should strive to have perfect contrition for our sins, CCC #1453 clarifies that having imperfect contrition allows for the forgiveness of our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Or, in the words of the Baltimore Catechism (#401), “To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, imperfect contrition is sufficient.”

As a side note, as taught in CCC #1452, it is possible for perfect contrition to absolve mortal sins outside the Sacrament of Reconciliation (if one is not able to go to Confession but intends to go as soon as possible). I am guessing that the person you mentioned heard this but mistakenly thought that perfect contrition was required for absolution when going to Confession as well.