If a Catholic never goes to confession, but asked Jesus to forgive him. Will he be forgiven then, or is he....

Question

still in his sins? Several people claimed to know and are wrong.

First, let’s try to clear up what the Catholic Church says about Confession. As Catholics we only HAVE to go to Confession if we are in a state of mortal sin.

For a sin to be ‘mortal’ three criteria have to be met. (1) The sin in question has to be a serious offense God and neighbor. All sin, by the way, has a communal dimension – that is to say, no sin is utterly ‘private’ because the community, made up of our neighbors, is always diminished by my sinful acts. (2) I must know that the sin which I have committed is a serious offense against God and neighbor. (3) The sin must have the full consent of my will. When all three (not 2 out of 3) of these conditions are met, I am, very likely in a state of mortal sin.

The phrase ‘mortal sin’ is based on the words of the Scripture in I John 5:16 which indicates that some sins are “deadly,” that is, “mortal.” As Catholics we believe that a person who dies with

a mortal sin on his or her conscience which has not been confessed and absolved stands a very good chance of never experiencing the fullness of eternal life.

So, Catholics have to go to Confession if they have committed mortal sins.

But the Church strongly recommends that we go to Confession at least once sometime between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday which is the week after Pentecost.

Rosie, dear, I AM a Catholic. This is in response to Don S's original question, which he has blocked me from answering. :)

I am afraid you are incorrect, Neo

Answer 1

This is a good question. The first thing I want to say is that I have had a couple of speeding tickets that I couldn't get out of even though I didn't know what I was doing at the time. My will was not into speeding but, the truth was I was doing 35 in a 25 mile an hour zone. So the sin is there whether we mean to or not but the guilt of the sin is something else. Just as the human system is built to filter out impurities so is the body of Christ which it does. The impurities are filtered out and the bloodline is pure because of this and nothing radical needs to happen. Confession is major medical treatment for the soul. Mortal sin is a disease which needs treatment to prevent death and that treatment is confession. Sometimes though a little bit of dust will add on to the little bit of dust already there on the soul and before long when light is shined on it, the amount of dirt is appalling so regular confession is a must. We should not forget that each time we sin, even a venial sin, that sin becomes stronger, just like exercising a muscle, and with frequent confession we receive the grace from Jesus himself to conquer that sin and sharpen the conscience. Many people have noticed that the closer they get to Jesus the more aware of their sin they become, but you must eliminate pride though because this awareness along with the pride will make someone scrupulous.

Answer 2

Actually asker you are INCORRECT as well and misrepresenting the doctrine.

Catholics MUST go to confession if they are in a state of mortal sin, but they MUST regardless go to confession at least once a year:

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1457 According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."

It is RECOMMENDED that the MANDATORY once a year confession is during the Lenten season (Ash Wednesday to Easter (Not Most Holy Trinity Sunday, since the OBLIGATION of the Eucharist once a year is RECOMMENDED at the Easter Season and you must have had your confession before that (Canon law by that Fourth Lateran Council in 1215)

Yes, we can privately confess sin to God and do with the Penitetntial Rite at the begiining of Mass:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you,
my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary,
ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you,
my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

However the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not just about confession but also about Penance to repair the damage as the Catholic view of sin is that which takes us out of right relationship with God and right relationship with each other, it is the atonement. All religions in all times (except modern Christians starting with the born again evangelical movement) have talked on sacrifice and atonement to correct and repair relationships.


ALSO if you die with Mortal Sin on your soul it is not you will never experience the "fullness of eternal life"(where did you ever get that?????? that is the most riduclous assestment I have heard, with no theological basis). there is no partial eternal life. It is all or nothing (venial sins can be atoned through Purgatory but mortal sin is DEATH of the soul (no in the middle), which is why in the case of death ANYONE can act as a confessor for the dying according to the Church it does not have to be a Priest unless one is available)

Answer 3

I'd just like to add a little emphasis.

I learned from a Byzantine monk that the church doesn't just "strongly suggest" it. It is required.

To remain a Catholic in good standing one must confess at least once a year. As well as receive the Eucharist at least once a year.

Answer 4

Jesus set up the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) for us, and therefore, it needs to be utilized.

Mark 2:10: "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins."

Now in the verse below, he is transferring that authority to other men! He tells them that they are being sent to do the same as the Father has sent Him to do.

John 20:21-23: 'Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'

If who forgives sins they will be forgiven? "YOU"... If YOU forgive anyone his sins, they ARE forgiven. Wow, what a tremendous authority Jesus has bestowed upon His priests. And I doubt He would have done so if going to confession was not a necessary thing! God bless....


((((( spiritroaming )))))

Answer 5

Good question but my answer may not make sense to a Catholic. If you are truly saved, then you must truly repent. Repentance is a change of attitude or heart, that leads to change of actions. Jesus said "...go now and sin no more." Are you really trying to stop the sin you've committed or just saying the words.
Forget what the Catholics or any man-made religion says about "sin" or forgiveness, read what the Bible says. Research for yourself and find out if you're in the right place and if you are truly saved. Ask yourself why you are doing what the Church says and not what God says.

Answer 6

good question and many here have already answered it. the conditions you set out and others included we must confess atleast once a year and receive the eucharist atleast once a year. i try for more than once on all because the sacrament of confession is a true blessing and words can't describe the beauty and marvel of the eucharist. god bless.

Answer 7

The Catholic Confession is a man made rule - you are to confess your sins to Jesus Christ God and the Holy Spirit to be forgiven not a priest in a closed off room. BTW I was brought up Catholic and still attend Catholic Church every sunday. I disagree with 80% of what the Catholic Church creates, its a place to worship our Lord that is why I go. I also attend a Christian church on Thursday nights and its amazing!

Answer 8

The bible says that only Jehovah God the Almighty Sovereign of the Universe is the hearer of prayers. But we must go through Jesus to get the prayers to God.
You must end each prayer with "Through your son Jesus Christ amen".
Now that we know who to pray to and through whom we must address if you should confess to a man.

If you have done something like adultery, it is a gross sin. If you pray to God and ask for forgiveness and are truly repentant and never do it again, God will forgive you.
But you must tell the elders what has happened so that they can pray over you and protect the congregation.
And in the finale of this system of things the bible says God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

Mankind is being misled by Satan now intensely, and we must stand against him. We have to watch what we say and do so as not to bring reproach against the whole congregation.

Answer 9

It's a good questin. If you ask another person who shares your Catholic faith they will probably give you an answer closer to what you are looking for. However, I am a Christian, but not a Catholic. I ask God to forgive me all the time and I believe that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ I am forgiven. After all, aren't all of our sins against Him, shouldn't He be the One to forgive us and not another human who is equally as sinful as we are?

Answer 10

Why are you taught to go to a Father or Priest to confess your sin or sins? Jesus died to make you a king, priest and or prophet in your walk and relationship with HIM. We can go into the most holy place of Almighty God and talk with Him and we are able to go before HIM sinless in this day and hour because of what christ did 2000 years ago. If you doubt this, you read the Bible yourself and know that Jesus is all you need..