Both Person to God and person to person forgiveness.
2007-10-25 03:40:56 · 10 answers · asked by bamagrits84 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please don't bash the Catholic church just because you disagree with their beliefs. That's not nice and not why I asked the question. I asked to be informaed on other peoples views : not for anyone to question their views.
2007-10-25 03:57:34 · update #1
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 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 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.
2007-10-25 15:58:24 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The sacrament of reconciliation (personal confession) is open to all Catholics. The priest, acting as G-d's agent, has the power to absolve the truly penitent of ANY sin. It is not automatic, but in practice, I've never seen anyone turned away who was truly sorry for the pain they had inflicted upon others through sinful actions.
2007-10-25 03:46:52 · answer #2 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The Church's view on forgiveness is it's basic message. For forgiveness is showing God's love for each other.
best wishes
Star
2007-10-25 03:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
If you don't give it, you don't get it. Same teaching as Jesus.---Jesus forgives us through the Sacrament of Penance when sins are confessed in earnest and a desire to amend your life is shown.
2007-10-25 03:52:53 · answer #4 · answered by Midge 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not much different from any other Christian sect : If you are sorry and repent, you will be forgiven.
They also teach that you should forgive all those who trespass against you (whether they deserve it or not)
2007-10-25 03:49:55 · answer #5 · answered by alanastarkey 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Catholics understand how to teach forgiveness. For the things I fault them for having taught me wongly, forgiveness is something they teach well.
2007-10-25 03:45:37 · answer #6 · answered by lizardmama 4 · 4⤊ 4⤋
forgiveness is there for the asking.
The Catholic church doesn't say their way is the only way, but they do say their way is the best way.
2007-10-25 03:45:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
If you drop 10% of your earnings into my collection plate, I'll forgive you too! :)
2007-10-25 03:47:40 · answer #8 · answered by Mike T 3 · 1⤊ 6⤋
their view is if you pay for the mass we will pray you out of hell
or buy this indulgence and you can commit that sin.
2007-10-25 03:43:49 · answer #9 · answered by jesussaves 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catholic leaders first need to get saved themselves, then they can tell others how to do it.
2007-10-25 03:43:39 · answer #10 · answered by Chris 4 · 1⤊ 10⤋