When Are Our Sins Forgiven?

[lyrikal]

Do we as Catholics believe that the sins of the believer are forgiven at Calvary but that we still need to confess our sins? Or that our sins are not forgiven until we confess them?

I’m thinking #2 is correct but just need to make sure.

Thank you!

 

[Samuel63]

The second answer is most correct. A priest can give a precise technical answer. Here is a lay-person’s attempt.

Your sins are forgiven to remove fault when the priest absolves you in the confessional. There is still a little detail called “temporal punishment due to sin.” You need to complete the penance the priest prescribes before that last bit is lifted.

There is more to offer but this is it in a nutshell.

 

[mountee]

#2 is the correct answer

 

[Actaeon]

Do we as Catholics believe that the sins of the believer are forgiven at Calvary but that we still need to confess our sins? Or that our sins are not forgiven until we confess them?

I’m thinking #2 is correct but just need to make sure.

Thank you!

The second is MORE correct than the first.

Our sins are not automatically forgiven. Instead, the work has been done (death) to pay the debt of our sins… if we accept it by being forgiven in confession (or in baptism, or in the case of venial sins, in Communion).

 

[trogiah]

Based on Jesus’ teaching in parables and in direct instruction, we are forgiven if and when we forgive others the things they have done to us.

Jim

 

[kkollwitz]

I believe that much time is spent in Purgatory by souls who haven’t forgiven everyone else yet.

 

[Evan]

Do we as Catholics believe that the sins of the believer are forgiven at Calvary but that we still need to confess our sins? Or that our sins are not forgiven until we confess them?

I’m thinking #2 is correct but just need to make sure.

Thank you!

I had not even committed any sins at the time of Calvary. They cannot be forgiven til I commit them. Hence the need for the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross with the aid of the Holy Spirit in making the gifts of bread and wine in the Mass into the Body of Blood of Christ so they can be offered to the forgiveness of sins and so I can take part in this new covenant.