Can a Non-Catholic go to a church and ask for a confessional?

Question

I am not a religious man by any means. In fact, I am an agnostic, and while I believe in the other and higher worlds, I am just not religious. But recently, I have been feeling emotions of lament and regret for the way I used to be before I had a change of heart. I would like to confess and ask for forgiveness to someone in this world, and the only people I know will listen is probably a priest. With Catholic priests accept the confession of a man who is not a Catholic?

Answer 1

Unfortunately non-Catholics may not receive legitimately receive any Catholic Sacraments except under extreme circumstances like danger of death.

Prior to receiving Confirmation and Eucharist in the process of coming into full communion with the Catholic Church, baptized persons do receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).

Non-baptized persons joining the Catholic Church usually receive Reconciliation for the first time one or two months after Baptism.

However a non-Catholic may talk to a priest about any issue in their life without receiving absolution.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Im excited that you have been feeling emotions of lament and regret and have had a change of heart. That higher power that you believe in is tugging at your heart strings. At the moment you don't have a name for this higher power but I do and eventually you will know, recognize and accept the name. That higher power is working in you right now.

But to answer your question regarding confession.....if you study church reform you will find that confessing your sins to a priest, technically a man that is sinful, is a man-made law or decision, policy or whatever you would like to call it. You have full access to your higher power and you can go straight to the source and ask for forgiveness. The other flip side is that if what you are asking forgiveness for is an act against another person that you have hurt, then you need to ask for their forgiveness also. It is their choice whether they forgive you but you have done your part in asking for it.

Answer 3

any Baptized Christian can receive the sacrament of
confession [reconciliation] by a priest.
The fact that you feel deeply a desire to be forgiven
shows you are not truly agnostic, but perhaps have failed to seek religious education.
I suggest that you ask your local catholic church for RCIA classes. You could attend, and learn more about faith, and if you are so inclined to believe, you can be baptized and go to confession and receive absolution [the priest forgives past sins]. These steps are followed by first Holy communion and confirmation into the faith.
If you go to RCIA and are not convinced to become Catholic, there is no obligation to go forward.

I think it is only possible to seek God's forgiveness is you believe there is a God.

Answer 4

They would listen to you - regardless of whether it would be an actual confession or not. If you just need someone to talk to, they would certainly take the time for you. If you are not Catholic, then you would not have Catholic beliefs, therefore you would not believe yourself forgiven by God through the priest. However, there is great healing in talking to someone close to God and a priest or other clergy member certainly would fit that description. Hope you find the answer you need, hon.

Answer 5

No. If you feel there is value in this why don't you consider becoming Catholic then? Apparently the Lord is moving your heart this way.

You might be able to actually have a priest listen to your confession but, he cannot give you absolution and he isn't tied to the silence of the Confessional although he would prolly never tell anyone and he has prolly heard ten times worse.

Answer 6

A Catholic priest would be more than willing to hear your confession, give you advice and give you a blessing to ask God to grant you His peace and love, but the sacrament of Reconciliation is only given to baptized Catholics.

I suggest that you look into becoming a member of the Catholic Church. It seems to me that God is calling to you. The feelings of lament and regret are the Holy Spirit calling you to change your life.

Contact me if you wish to chat or have any questions.

Answer 7

Probably not. I was once Catholic and they are very strict. They sometimes excommunicate people for getting divorced, but try going to a Christian church, they're much more welcoming. The whole reason for confessing and repenting is so that God will forgive you and take away your sins, you cant be forgiven by God by asking a man to forgive you. I'm a Christian, but I'm not religious either. I don't believe in religion, I believe in relationship. The most important thing isn't going to church, its having a relationship with God. The only one that will always be there for you is God. He created you and sent his only begotten son to die for you, just so you could be with him. Is that not enough? He went through so much suffering and pain, but some people don't even acknowledge him. Seek God and ask for his forgiveness, only then will you truly be clean.

Answer 8

Catholic priests can only administer the Sacrament of Confession to other Catholics.

Having said that, you should still try to contact a priest so that you may tell him everything anyway. Priests are more than willing to lend a sympathetic ear to anyone wishing to consult them for wisdom, adice, whatever.

Answer 9

I think that you can, of course. But there's little meaning to it. Sacrementally speaking, you are absolved of sin in confession. And it is a requirement before receiving THE HOLY EUCHARIST that you confess at least once. But if you've not been BAPTIZED then you need to be BAPTIZED first and that washes away all your sins. If you are not confirmed Catholic you'll need to be confirmed Catholic. Baptism and Confirmation are Sacrements as well. You'll then need to go to confession where on your first confession you can receive a general absolution for your life before being Catholic. It is of course, forbidden to eat of the precious BODY AND BLOOD unless you've been Baptized, confirmed, and have gone to Confession. Of course Protestant Baptism is sufficient so if you were Baptized you can't be Baptized again you just need to be confirmed by teh Sacrement of Confirmation. They'll Catechize you first and then Confirm you at Mass . . . you'll go to confession before your first Mass in which you recieve. You can however go up to the Priest with your arms on your shoulders and receive a blessing without recieving the HOLY EUCHARIST . ..

(please forgive any errors in this i won't profess to be a cannon law lawyer - however to the best of my knowledge this correct).

-LOVE your nieghbor as yourself.
Amen.

Answer 10

God bless you, sir. Do this as soon as possible.

Yes, by all means ask the questions or look around parishes, and pray about it.

God knows your good heart. All sins are forgiveable.
Find a good priest and have a talk at it. Believe me, the priest has heard everything.

JUST BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE NINE VOLTS!!!!!!!!!!