or can you personally just go to God in prayer and confess your sins in Jesus' name.
2006-08-04 06:41:53 · 16 answers · asked by soulsista 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Catholic Church believes that "Only God forgives sin."
When a penitent person asks God for forgiveness, his (or her) sins are immediately forgiven.
Catholics also believe that when someone sins they not only hurt their relationship with God, they also injure the entire church, the body of Christ.
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation with a priest ordained in the name Jesus Christ not only reconciles the sinner to God but with the entire church, including you and me.
This sacrament is only required if you have totally separated yourself from God and the Church (are in the state of mortal sin).
At other times, Reconciliation is encouraged but not required.
With love in Christ.
2006-08-04 16:06:54 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The canon has always been that confession is to be a regular occurrence.
Now called the Rite of Reconciliation, it is still required. If one has committed only a venial sin, one may confess privately to God, but it is understood that one is doing so only because there is no priest available. One would still be under obligation to go to the priest at the first opportunity.
2006-08-04 06:45:58 · answer #2 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is who we are supposed to go to to confess our sins in the name of Jesus. Only God can forgive us of our sins. There are times when we should confess our sins to someone, but only when that sin has outwardly affected them. If it is a sin they do not know you commited then sometimes it might not be best to confront them with it and go directly to God so that it doesn't create a worse situation. Most of the sins we commit are against God so it is He who we should be confessing to...
2006-08-04 06:46:35 · answer #3 · answered by Bruce Leroy - The Last Dragon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, it is a requirement. But some Catholics go years without going. Hopefully, they do confess before the Lord and those who they have trespassed against.
2006-08-04 06:47:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they do. I once asked a Catholic friend this (he is in his 40's) and asked why he thought that he needed an intermediary between himself and God. He said he doesn't need an intermediary. He does it because it is humbling to have to confess all the sinful things he does and thinks about to a preist. He knows the priest doesn't forgive him -- God does. He does it to humble himself.
2006-08-04 06:46:12 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix's Mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of the older Catholics go. And yes technically it is a requirement. I am Catholic and I don't go I just talk to God in my own way.
2006-08-04 06:45:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although I am an orthodox, I can tell you that confession is a mystery and works mysteriously. Confessing straight to God is good, but your sins are not forgiven if you don't proceed to the mystery
2006-08-04 06:48:17 · answer #7 · answered by olaola 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The catholic church tells its brain-washed members that they have to go to a priest and confess. Then you chant a few prayers and no matter what you have done, everything is all better again.
2006-08-04 06:46:04 · answer #8 · answered by innocence faded 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im catholic, and yes, we are supposed to go to confession. but me personally, i don't like sharing my sins with a priest, so i tell them straight to God, and I give myself a penance that I think is just. churches usually have confession times open once a week.
2006-08-04 06:48:10 · answer #9 · answered by all the same eternity 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i haven't been to confession since before confirmation, about 2 years back
2006-08-04 06:46:25 · answer #10 · answered by palm_of_buddha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋