When someone committed unethical behavior in our church some years ago, they were approached and offered a chance to recant and confess their sin before the Lord. They did not, and they were asked to leave the congregation, which they did.
Is the rite of reconciliation the way that the Catholic Church combats unethical behavior in order to keep itself pure, i.e. "nipping things in the bud" before it escalates to excommunication? Should my church have done the same? I get the feeling that if this person were offered a confessional, the outcome might have been different.
2007-01-25 05:34:27 · 5 answers · asked by ccrider 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not really, but kind of.
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.
2007-01-25 16:19:41 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Holiness and sanctification in Christ should be the objective of every Christian.
In that respect, the sacrament of reconciliation does go a long way towards keeping the church "pure".
The sacrament of reconciliation is one way that God distributes the fruits of his life, death, and resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins is also the number one reason Jesus died for us on the cross.
Catholics are also obliged to participate at Mass every Sunday, and in order to participate fully, one must also be free of any serious or deadly sins.
The sacrament of reconciliation makes it possible for Catholics to be properly disposed to celebrate Mass, and fully prepared to receive Jesus in communion, as well.
The availabilty of free, professional counselling by the priest, is also an important and practical benefit of the sacrament.
Finally, the sacrament of reconciliation provides additional graces to the penitent, that when properly applied, should help that person to avoid committing the same, and even other sins, in the future.
2007-01-26 04:37:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha. No, it does not keep the church "pure"....it merely allows the priest to be filled in on all of the juicy gossip. Believe it or not, they can see you in that confessional, private or not. What I don't understand is....why can't you just confess your sins to God on your own? Why do you have to tell a priest? This is the reason why I have excommunicated MYSELF from that religion.
2007-01-25 13:43:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No catholics still sin routinely. God does not forgive someone because they mearly confess a sin, but rather when they confess and stop practicing sin. God understands we are all imperfect but we cant just keep doing the same bad things over and over and expect forgiveness.
In some cases excomunication should be that way to go.
2007-01-25 13:49:04 · answer #4 · answered by JULIE V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics: does confession keep the Church pure?
Yep!
PROOF is a quick look at the priests around the World!
:>)
2007-01-25 13:43:42 · answer #5 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋