When is Sin forgiven?

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Anima_Christi

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Is sin forgiven when we receive absolution from a priest after sacramental confession, or is sin forgiven “the moment we repent of it”?
Recently in the Ask An Apologist forum, Michelle Arnold explained that we are forgiven the moment we repent, if we just have the intention of going to confession: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=74147.
However, this directly contradicts what Fr. Vincent Serpa said about confession in forgiveness in a previous post!!! forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=527408#post527408
Which of the CA apologists is correct?
 
Did you mistakenly post the same link twice? I don’t see the contradictory response… :confused:
 
Yeah Anima, although the links are different they take you to the same post…oops!

How are you, BTW? I hope well!

~Praise Him~
 
Anima Christi:
Is sin forgiven when we receive absolution from a priest after sacramental confession, or is sin forgiven “the moment we repent of it”?
Recently in the Ask An Apologist forum, Michelle Arnold explained that we are forgiven the moment we repent, if we just have the intention of going to confession: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=74147.
However, this directly contradicts what Fr. Vincent Serpa said about confession in forgiveness in a previous post!!!
Which of the CA apologists is correct?
Click to expand...
OOOOPS, the links take you to the same page. I don’t know how that happened, either. Sorry 'bout that.
Now, HERE is the response of Fr. Serpa that I originally tried to post. forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=527408#post527408
Here is another of Fr. Serpa’s posts that contradicts Michell Arnold. Thanks, Verbum! forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=62264
Now, WHO is right, Michelle Arnold or Fr. Serpa? Should Catholic Answers be notified that two of their apologists are teaching two opposite things so it can be fixed?
 
There is no contradiction. A Catholic is forgiven the instant he repents and will not die in a state of mortal sin if he dies before he goes to confession, but he ordinarily cannot receive the Eucharist until he goes to confession because he must first reconcile with God through the Church.

In other words, a person who repents a mortal sin is forgiven conditionally the moment he repents. If he dies before he can go to sacramental confession, he will not be held accountable for a requirement outside his control or his knowledge. But, if he wishes to receive Communion, he ordinarily must first be reconciled to God through the Church in the sacrament of reconciliation.
 
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This thread is now closed. Thanks to all who participated in the discussion.
 
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