Do I, as a Catholic, have to confess to a priest?

Question

Aren't they sinners too? Do you think it's O.K. to confess directly to God if truly sorry. Asking b/c my son just made his first reconciliation, and, as we were last in line, the mediator said: Parents are welcome to confess as well, and it would be a good example to the kids to do so. Well, I ran for the hills - haven't gone in 15 years and wouldn't even know what to do.

Magpie: Surley you are smart enough to not generalize ALL PRIESTS in this way. One of my very best friends is a priest, and a very good Christian man.

One-wolf: Painfully, you are right!

Answer 1

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.

Jesus said, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,"Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (Luke 20:22-23)

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation with a priest ordained in the name of Jesus Christ not only reconciles the sinner to God but with the entire church, including you and me.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament.

Catechism admits that these are not instructions from God, but traditions of men.

The Bible is very clear,

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Is Catholicism teaches that the Pope, Bishop and Priest is a mediator between God and man? Bible recognizes only one mediator.

Do Catholic pope, bishops and priest can forgive sins? That will be blasphemy. This Unholy Man is not God's mediators.

This Unholy Men can not stand in the presence of the Holy God because " All " have sinned.

Daver FYI,

If the Bible were ever to become authoritative in the Catholic Church, there would certainly be no priests.

The only priesthood found in the New Testament that applies to Christians is the Royal Priesthood of ALL BELIEVERS.

Nothing for you and yours to do except what the apostle Paul said in Acts 16:31: "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."

The Old Testament priesthood was not carried over into the New Testament period (Hebrews 3:1; 4:14; 5:5; 7:10-23, v. 26; 8:1; 9:11; 10:21).

The term priest is never applied to a church leader. The Law on which it was based was abolished (Hebrews 7:12, 18-22; 8:7-13).

Under the new covenant there was only one priest, the High Priest Jesus Christ.

Daver, Stop reading your man made Catechism.

Answer 3

I don't think you technically have to. A good priest would say it is not about him, but you and god.

the bible does say confess your faults to one another that you may be healed.

the question is: do you want wholeness? do you want inner peace? if so, then seek god. whatever crap we hold onto is not worth it.

A priest may be able to help. But the next question is: what have you really done wrong? Do you need to confess? God does not care if you cussed or went dancing. But God does not like it when you hurt yourself and others. real confession is simple:

it is being open and honest about your own crap. It is taking responsibility for the wrong you have done, and then seeking to make amends.

it is so freeing to own up to the fact that you are not perfect and that you need work. When we confess to a person, we get to experience love in person. As the priest forgives you, you FEEL their accepteance. you are not an evil person. you are not a monster. you are a child of god. you are a great person! so what if you screw up. what if you screwed up ALOT? God forgives all honest seekers of forgiveness.

as for what you have to do in confession is say, "um. I have not done this in 15 years. I feel stupid." It will be ok.

I took a friend to confession. He confessed fornication, theft, violence, divorce, drug addiction, etc. He told the priest about the breakup of his family. his homelessness. He said he was sorry for all he had done. The priest said. "you are forgiven. and your sorrows are the only penance you need." He was totally set free.

and the bible DOES tell us to confess...to fellow sinners!
we need each other to live the christian life. you need the priest. he needs you.

Answer 4

Ask yourself if you really honestly believe that sins can only be forgiven when confessed to a priest. (Mind you, I am asking you what you 'do believe', not what you 'want to believe').

If you do believe in the Sacrament of Confession, then your sins can only be forgiven if you receive this Sacrament. To believe in it, and refuse to go, may very well constitute a mortal - and you know what that leads to. Right?

It puzzles me that you think enough of the Sacrament to see that your child(ren) receive it. However, it makes little sense that you do not go yourself.

Since you have not been to Confession in 15 years, your's would have been the ultimate example of receiving God's limitless forgiveness.

You said yourself that priests are sinners to. So, who better to relate to the stresses of asking forgiveness - and the elation of receiving it, than a Catholic priest?

No priest is going to expect you to remember every sin you committed in the last 15 years. God knows. And, if you are truly sorry, God will forgive you for hte sins you no longer remember committing. BUT, you must go to Confession to be forgiven.

Here's how you prepare: You have to do an examination of conscience. Go down the list of the Ten Commandments, and consider the various ways one can violate these Commandments.

I can write an outline of questions you need to ask yourself in order to properly examine your conscience. I think a private email would be the best forum.

If you want to discuss this further, please feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 5

You are supposed to. But . Think sin is forgiven by God, when you don't see the priest you miss the benefit of his counsel. I once had some heavy duty stuff to confess. It kept me confession for ten years. And. When I said it, he didn't even blink. And. I mean this was really heavy duty. Then I realized that he had heard it all before. It never bothered me again and now I feel good after I go.

Answer 6

If, as you say, you ran for the hills when reminded of The Roman Catholic requirements why are you even bothering with going or indocrinating you son in something you do not believe your self... I am not an RC and have no desire to be... but even I can tell, from your own words ,that you are not either. And have never really been... given that you have to ask the quetions you do...questions no true RC would need to ask... but they would not know The Truth of... you seem to have some inkling of The Truth

If you have questions concerning The True Christian Faith... which you seem to know something about, given that you do seem to know that no priest is required for confession or communication with God... If you would like more information about how to find The Way to God you may email me... one honest question will receive one honest answer to the best of my ability....

Answer 7

I go to confession and it is a great feeling to confess and lift he burden of sin. Not sure why you;re scared. They walk you through it and are very sensitive if its been a long time. Give it a try and you will probably like it. Its almost like going to a psychologist.

Its true that priests are sinners also, but the priesthood is a sacrament.

The sacrament had its beginning when Jesus said to Peter: "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." - Matthew 16:18.
Also Jesus said:
Matthew 16:19
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

Answer 8

Avg Jen,

the facts are these.

1 - The bible never said to confess your sins to another person. It only says to confess to God through JESUS Christ.

2 - Only God (Jesus) can forgive sins. What is the purpose of sharing your confession with another sinner? Did you sin against the sinner himself?

3 - Jesus is our high priest and the bridge between man and God. Jesus said "I am the truth, the way and the life, no man goes to the Father EXCEPT through me".

I think the above 3 points are very clear. There's no need for you NOR your kids to confess to another person. Kneel down at home with your children, pray in the name of Jesus and ask for HIS forgiveness and pray that He guide you to the truth. And remember READ THE BIBLE DAILY.

Answer 9

If Christ instituted the sacrament of confession for the forgiveness of sins, it is terrible pride and arrogance on our part to try to do it our way instead|


It is true that God can forgive sins outside of confession, but that is not the usual way|

We cannot say to God: "you have said to do this, but I will do it my way."

You won't get into the Kingdom unless you repent of that|

Only the humble are admitted to heaven, not the proud|


Now a priest's holiness or sinfulness is irrelevant to the effectiveness of the sacrament (although it is much better that he be holy).

The priest in that capacity is only an instrument of God (as he is also is an instrument in the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ).

He forgives according to his office, not his holiness|


That priest can be in the deepest mortal sin, but when he says the words: "I absolve you" over you, all your sins are forgiven, no matter what they are.





---

Answer 10

>>Aren't they sinners too?<<

Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?

>>Do you think it's O.K. to confess directly to God if truly sorry.<<

You can, may, and should. If want absolution, however, you need to seek out one of His authorized agents. As Father K wrote, "Jesus gave His Authority to his Apostles, and by Apostolic Succession to his Bishops and Priests, to forgive sin."

Answer 11

The Bible says;

1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1Ti 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

No other mediator is necessary or possible. That includes Mary.