For confession is it possible for me to confess on behalf of someone else.
E.g, if they stole something, am I allowed to ask the priest for forgiveness because of what they did or do they have to go themselves???
Thank you
XXX
2007-07-10 21:17:16 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You cannot confess for someone else.
Reconciliation is between God and the sinner. A priest hangs around for support.
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)
Oral confessing sins is recommended over and over in both the Old and New Testaments:
+ James 5:16
+ Acts 19:18
+ Matthew 3:5-6
+ Mark 1:5
+ 1 Timothy 6:12
+ 1 John 1:9
+ Numbers 5:6-7
+ Nehemiah 9:2
+ Sirach 4:26
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.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1422 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm
With love in Christ.
2007-07-11 18:32:28 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you cannot confess on behalf of someone else. Reason being, while you might be sorry for the sin, the actual perpetrator of the sin may not be, in which case the Confession is meaningless.
You can pray that the other person will come to recognize the sin that was committed and, as a result, feel compelled to ask for forgiveness via Confession him/herself.
2007-07-13 04:45:57 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am roman catholic.
you may not confess the sins of another to your priest.
1)the sinner must be repentant for their own sins
2)you can't really be sure your friend wants forgiveness of the sin.
3)in confession the priest offers a penance to the sinner to help atone for the sin, the priest may also give useful advice to help the sinner refrain from said sin and others they may have.
4)you asking forgiveness on their behalf means you only include one of their sins and the other sins may hinder them from proper absolution.
the one thing you can do is to pray for your friend(s) and ask for the intercession of the saints and blessed mother mary. here are some sites that you may enjoy and that may help your friend(s)
www.scripturecatholic.com
www.catholiceducation.org
www.askmeaboutgod.org
www.fisheaters.com
always feel free to address your priest with this and any other questions you may have. hope this helps and god bless you, your family and friends.
2007-07-10 21:37:53 · answer #3 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am Roman Catholic and if it makes you feel better by all means do. Your priest is there to listen to you and although he will probably ask your friend to call into confession , Knowing you have asked for forgiveness for a sinner is certainly the right thing to do. Didnt Christ himself say " Forgive them Father for they know not what they do "?
2007-07-10 21:34:30 · answer #4 · answered by Normms 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am a roman catholic. No you cannot confess on behalf of someone else.
2007-07-10 21:22:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, forgiveness can only be given to the sinner. You cannot force your friend to go to confession as they have to have the desire for forgiveness and sorrow for their sin within themselves.
Pray for your friend, and set a good example, but don't force the issue.
In the end, God alone makes all the judgemements!
2007-07-10 21:21:54 · answer #6 · answered by loobyloo 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NO, its commendable that you would want to do that but in order for a confession to be a true confession the person who commited the sin has to repent and acknowledge their sin and receive absolution for themselves.
2007-07-11 18:36:30 · answer #7 · answered by Prada 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
People who aren't sorry for their actions should never be forgiven for them.
Doing that would only encourage them to do it again.
2007-07-10 21:28:03 · answer #8 · answered by scifiguy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What on earth would you want to tell a complete stranger that for?
Oh, I forget. Religion!
2007-07-10 21:21:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
confession by proxy? um no!
2007-07-10 22:14:47 · answer #10 · answered by mp01 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋