When converting to Catholicism, does one make his/her first Confession prior to baptism or after baptism?

[xixxvmcm85]

I was under the impression that baptism forgives both original and particular sin. If this is the case, what would be the need of a confession prior to baptism?

Thanks for your answers.

 

[Thunderbird]

Speaking as someone that recently went through RCIA, it depends. If the person has never been baptized before, they will not go to their first confession until a week or so after baptism.

For the Candidates (folks like me who were already validly baptized), we had our confession before confirmation.

 

[ProVobis]

I was under the impression that baptism forgives both original and particular sin. If this is the case, what would be the need of a confession prior to baptism?

Thanks for your answers.

You are right about that. Baptism forgives all sins. Confessions are followups and are available for Catholics only.

Remember that when you become baptized you are baptized a Christian, not necessarily a Catholic.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was under the impression that baptism forgives both original and particular sin. If this is the case, what would be the need of a confession prior to baptism?

Thanks for your answers.

You are correct. No need for Confession before Baptism. However there is a need for examination of conscience and repentance. The First confession would take place with in a few months after Baptism.

 

[agapewolf]

Here’s a twist…what if the person needs a conditional Baptism? (The person remembers a “baptism” of some kind, not certain the formula and the non-denominational church is no help in figuring that out).

If the first Baptism was valid, then the person needs to confess before Easter Vigil.

If the first Baptism was not valid, the person can’t receive absolution until after Baptism.

I know there is no “conditional absolution.” So what happens?

 

[xixxvmcm85]

Here’s a twist…what if the person needs a conditional Baptism? (The person remembers a “baptism” of some kind, not certain the formula and the non-denominational church is no help in figuring that out).

If the first Baptism was valid, then the person needs to confess before Easter Vigil.

If the first Baptism was not valid, the person can’t receive absolution until after Baptism.

I know there is no “conditional absolution.” So what happens?

Interesting!

I was baptized before, but into the Mormon church (which I already know has been deemed an invalid baptism according to the Church) so I will have to actually be baptized (not have a conditional one).

It seems my particular question has been answered, but now I’m eager to find out the answer to yours.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Our current practice is to administer conditional baptism a few weeks before Easter. The newly baptized then goes to confession sometime later but before Easter. They are then Confirmed and receive First Communion at the Vigil. This was per direction from the diocese.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Here’s a twist…what if the person needs a conditional Baptism? (The person remembers a “baptism” of some kind, not certain the formula and the non-denominational church is no help in figuring that out).

If the first Baptism was valid, then the person needs to confess before Easter Vigil.

If the first Baptism was not valid, the person can’t receive absolution until after Baptism.

I know there is no “conditional absolution.” So what happens?

Then the person who was conditionally Baptized will have the opportunity to go to Confession before they are received into the Church. If they were already Baptized the Absolution is effective for all their sins, if not the it effective for all sins committed in the few months after the Conditional Baptism.

 

[agapewolf]

Then the person who was conditionally Baptized will have the opportunity to go to Confession before they are received into the Church. If they were already Baptized the Absolution is effective for all their sins, if not the it effective for all sins committed in the few months after the Conditional Baptism.

Br Rich, you are assuming that they would be conditionally baptized before Easter Vigil. I dont’ think they do that at my parish, nor of anyone I know around here. Most just would baptize them on Easter Vigil.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Our current practice is to administer conditional baptism a few weeks before Easter. The newly baptized then goes to confession sometime later but before Easter. They are then Confirmed and receive First Communion at the Vigil. This was per direction from the diocese.

Conditional Baptism should be done very soon, within a week or two, after it has been determined that there is a serious question about the persons Baptism. It should also always done in private with the person and their Sponsor.

 

[agapewolf]

Agreed…but that isn’t happening where I am.

What to do then?

 

[jmcrae]

Br Rich, you are assuming that they would be conditionally baptized before Easter Vigil. I dont’ think they do that at my parish, nor of anyone I know around here. Most just would baptize them on Easter Vigil.

That’s what happens, here, too. When I was involved with leading the RCIA, I always asked them go to Confession, first. (I have no idea what happened with that - I assume they went, but they made their own arrangements.) I don’t know what happened about the Absolution. I always thought they could receive a conditional Absolution, as well.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Agreed…but that isn’t happening where I am.

What to do then?

Speak with the pastor and then the Bishop.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Br Rich, you are assuming that they would be conditionally baptized before Easter Vigil. I dont’ think they do that at my parish, nor of anyone I know around here. Most just would baptize them on Easter Vigil.

NO, NO, NO. It should be done in private with only the person, the pastor and Sponsor and possibly a witness or two so that there is no possibility of someone thinking that there was a re-Baptism.

You won’t find the Rite of Conditional Baptism either. Because this is something the Church does not wish to advertise and confuse people with.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

That’s what happens, here, too. When I was involved with leading the RCIA, I always asked them go to Confession, first. (I have no idea what happened with that - I assume they went, but they made their own arrangements.) I don’t know what happened about the Absolution. I always thought they could receive a conditional Absolution, as well.

There would be no need for “conditional” Absolution because either way they are now clearly validly Baptized and can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Actually anyone can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (who is validly Baptized) even if they have no serious sins to confess and receive Absolution, and the additional grace of the Sacrament.

 

[jmcrae]

There would be no need for “conditional” Absolution because either way they are now clearly validly Baptized and can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Actually anyone can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (who is validly Baptized) even if they have no serious sins to confess and receive Absolution, and the additional grace of the Sacrament.

No - the conditional baptisms happened at the Easter Vigil, in our case. Those who were going to Confession during the RCIA process did so (in theory, at least - we didn’t keep track) during Holy Week, or else the week before that.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

No - the conditional baptisms happened at the Easter Vigil, in our case. Those who were going to Confession during the RCIA process did so (in theory, at least - we didn’t keep track) during Holy Week, or else the week before that.

Those already Baptized should be given the opportunity to go to Confession a few weeks before their reception, which should not be at the Easter Vigil unless it has to be for some reason. I have coordinated RCIA where the participants attended a retreat Good Friday through noon Holy Saturday and had the opportunity for Confession some time between noon and 2 pm Holy Saturday.

But Conditional Baptisims should never take place in public and never at the Easter Vigil. Those who have serious questions about their Baptism should be Conditionally Baptized ASAP and then treated as Candidates.

 

[jmcrae]

Those already Baptized should be given the opportunity to go to Confession a few weeks before their reception, which should not be at the Easter Vigil unless it has to be for some reason. I have coordinated RCIA where the participants attended a retreat Good Friday through noon Holy Saturday and had the opportunity for Confession some time between noon and 2 pm Holy Saturday.

That’s a really good idea.

But Conditional Baptisims should never take place in public and never at the Easter Vigil. Those who have serious questions about their Baptism should be Conditionally Baptized ASAP and then treated as Candidates.

This makes sense. It’s not written down anywhere, though, so how would those in charge ever find out about it?

 

[mercygate]

The OP is coming in from LDS. Since LDS baptisms are not recognized by Christian churches, he/she will be baptized “de novo” and will not need to make a general (life) confession beforehand.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

That’s a really good idea.

This makes sense. It’s not written down anywhere, though, so how would those in charge ever find out about it?

Again Conditional Baptism is mentioned in some material on RCIA. You won’t find it in any of the norms or Canon Law. It’s one of those things that the Church does not advertise so as to not confuse anyone. Each Bishop should have a policy on it. I’m not sure if the USCCB has anything. Pastors should be trained, but I guess many are not.