Catholics... Do you feel awkward when you confess to a man?

Answer 1

Greetings. I must admit it took some getting used to. That is until I read about the sacrament some more and asked my godfather some questions.

I realized that I am not confessing to just anyone. I am confessing to Jesus who is working through the priest. Only Jesus can forgive the sins of man but he did give the apostles the authority to act through Him. The office of the apostles has been passed down through the years to the bishops and priests of today. I believe this fact, but many people do not.

John 20:
22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Though I personally do not like the idea of confessing to a person acting on behalf of Christ, the practice is taught through tradition and in scripture. The priest can not reveal anything from a confession, if he does he will be excommunicated by the Church. I came to the conclusion that Catholicism preserves the true teachings of Christ and I do not want to deny what Christ taught because of my opinions. I can not ignore a practice instituted by Him and still call myself a faithful Christian.

Confession carries with it a psychological factor. When I sit in the presence of God (God working through the priest) and confess my sins there is a greater feeling of shame. The urge to truly repent and sin no more is greater. I still confess to God of my sins but experience has shown me that sins occur more frequently when I think I can just go to a corner and ask God to forgive me as opposed to going to confession.

But all this is just my opinion. I chose to be a follower of Christ and I must be obedient to the teachings of His Church.

Yes I do feel awkward, but it is mostly shame that comes with being fallen to sin. This sin must now be confessed so that I can be worthy of God again. The Church teaches that unless a person is truly sorry and really strives through the grace of God to sin no more, the sins are not forgiven. Even if a priest gives you absolution from an empty confession, God knows what is in your heart.

I really can't get used to confession, but it is there to help me when I need it. Of course this what the Catholic Church teaches and what I believe. I am sure God will forgive anyone at any time if they truly repent in their heart. Confession makes the process a little easier for those who want it.

Peace of God be with you.

Answer 2

A bit. Confession is hard work. You have to look at yourself very honestly and humbly, admit your faults and failings, and ask God for forgiveness.

It is also very healthy psychologically. There is a good reason that oral confessing of 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 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.

Remember all sacraments are encounters with God. This sacrament is a healing encounter between God and the penitent.

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.

Answer 3

I confess to GOD in the presence of a man who is there to be God's servant, remind me that Jesus died for my sins and help me grow closer to Christ with good advice and some sort of penance, usually prayers.

It feels a little awkward, but I'm always happy to have been to Confession.

Answer 4

You addressed this to Catholics. I am not Catholic. I am a Christian.

Christians are told to confess our faults to God and to one another.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He (God/Jesus) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Answer 5

i was raised catholic, although i consider myself simply a christian now. going to confession was a normal thing. i loved it. i do still go at times. i've had people ask me about when people sin on purpose, knowing their sins will be absolved by the priest, but it doesn't work that way. before the priest absolves your sins, he makes sure you are sincerely sorry for having offended God and have every intention of sinning no more. we do fail God, but i don't do it intentionally.

i believe we are as sick as the secrets we keep. when i sin, it eats me up inside. if i don't say it outloud to someone, even if it's my best friend, i'll lose hope of ever reconnecting with God. sin separates us from Him. it's an amazingly healing process.

Answer 6

It can be awkward at times. None of us like to admit our failings! But it is good for the soul. It makes you think about where you need improvement! And we are actually confessing to God who knows everything we did anyhow...

Answer 7

no because we know it is not just a man----we are all the Body of Christ ( the baptized) and the priests are in a unique position to take the place of Jesus in this ministry as acting as the head of the body. Jesus even said "whose sins you shall forgive will be forgiven" How come people say they believe the Bible only but, in fact if they do not believe this they do not believe in the Bible only.

Answer 8

No, because in the Sacrament of Rconciliation ( Confession) we are talking to the Lord, represented by the priest.


There is no way to describe it when you have not experienced it- but when the priest says something to you he would have NO WAY of knowing through psychilogy or any other means....it really lets you know God is working.

Answer 9

No. You don't confess TO a man, you confess THROUGH a man. I regard the priest as a telephone.

Answer 10

I didn't feel awkward when I was baptized by a man, or confirmed by a man, or married by a man. In the sacraments, Christ himself works through His appointed ministers to pour out grace upon us and change us spiritually. The fact that a man chosen by God ministers God's forgiveness to me is a tremendous gift, and no, God's gifts don't make me feel awkward. This is how Christ intended our sins to be forgiven. Otherwise He would not have breathed upon His first priests, symbolizing a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and told them, "whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them". In fact, i don't confess "to a man". I confess to God, in the way He provided, and receive absolution through the special ministry Christ gave to His priests. I thank God that I don't have to confess in my room, hoping God hears me, hoping God forgives me. I can hear God Himself, speaking through His ordained servant, tell me "your sins are forgiven, go in peace".