If I wish to become Catholic, I'm wondering why I can't go to confession? I have sins to confess, but I was told that I cannot go until I'm instructed (I guess that means while taking RCIA). But these sins are weighing heavily on my mind, and I would like to be free from this. I have already confessed them to God (Protestant style), but I still feel guilt. Also, what kind of state does this put me in eternally according to the Church, if say I have unconfessed mortal sins, but I am not permitted to go to confession?

Thanks for your help and God bless.

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), April 19, 2004

Answers

bump

-- (bump@bump.bump), April 19, 2004.

Emily,

Under normal circumstances the Church can administer its sacraments only to its members. The sacraments are the core of the life of the Church, and one of the major signs of its unity and universality. Some relevant sections of Canon Law are:

Can. 840 The sacraments of the New Testament were instituted by Christ the Lord and entrusted to the Church. As actions of Christ and of the Church, they are signs and means by which faith is expressed and strengthened, worship is offered to God and our sanctification is brought about. Thus they contribute in the most effective manner to establishing, strengthening and manifesting ecclesiastical communion.

Can. 841 Since the sacraments are the same throughout the universal Church, and belong to the divine deposit of faith, only the supreme authority in the Church can approve or define what is needed for their validity. It belongs to the same authority, or to another competent authority ... to determine what is required for their lawful celebration, administration and reception and for the order to be observed in their celebration.

Can. 843 According to their respective offices in the Church, both pastors of souls and all other members of Christ's faithful have a duty to ensure that those who ask for the sacraments are prepared for their reception. This should be done through proper evangelization and catechetical instruction, in accordance with the norms laid down by the competent authority.

Can. 844 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to Catholic members of Christ's faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from Catholic ministers, except as provided in §2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in can. 861 §2.

Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the Catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, Catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other Christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

.....................................................................................................

Regarding your final question - If a catechumen preparing for baptism dies before he/she can formally receive the sacrament, the Church teaches that such a person receives the full graces of baptism, and is thereby saved. This is referred to as "baptism of dsesire". The same applies if parents are preparing to have their baby baptized, but the infant suddenly dies before the sacament can be administered. Similarly, if a person is killed in an accident while on their way to confession, their active intent is sufficient for the forgiveness of their sins. (This does not apply to those who postpone confession without just reason, or who simply have a vague intent of "confessing that sometime"). So, while I don't have a precise answer to your last question, I believe the same sort of ruling would apply to you. Broadly stated, "one who has full and immediate intent to confess, but who is prevented from doing so by circumstances beyond their control [in your case, canon law] is forgiven in the event that they die before confession is possible". (Note - this statement in quotes is a summation of my impression, NOT a direct quote from any authoritative source). You should ask your priest.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), April 19, 2004.

paul m is 100% correct.

you are not in a state where you could validly recieve the sacrament of confession. until such time as you arrive at that state it is assumed that, given the opportunity, you would take it (as you are indicating here). Therefore, your desire for the sacrament would, in effect, enact it for you, though you never physically went through the motions. once the opportunity does present itself, however, you should attend confession as soon as possible, as confession through desire does NOT replace actual confession but acts in lue of while you cant take the sacrament.

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), April 19, 2004.

Paul,

I did ask my priest, and he said that I can't go to confession until after I've received instruction (which I'm guessing means RCIA). I didn't tell him that I think I might have mortal sins, because I guess I'm not sure if they are mortal sins or not.

In one case, I knew previously that the Church said something was wrong, but I didn't believe (at that time) that the Church had authority to say so. Also, I'm wondering about evil thoughts - are those mortal sins? (Going by the principle of what Jesus said in Matthew 5, that hatred is murder and lust is adultery?)

FYI, I was baptized as a Protestant at age 13.

God bless,

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), April 19, 2004.

"Evil thoughts" is a very general category - like "evil actions". It is certainly possible for mortal sin to be committed with the mind alone, without any outward expression of those thoughts. However, just like "evil actions" there are many "evil thoughts" that are not mortal sin - momentary thoughts of jealousy, resentment, anger, impurity, etc. which we do not intentionally prolong or dwell upon are most often venial sins. However, those same thoughts, dwelt upon and intentionally encouraged, may become mortal in nature. I do not mean simple temptations. If an inappropriate thought spontaneously enters our mind and we take immediate action to ignore or eliminate it, that is no sin at all. But somewhere between that kind of response and an in-depth nurturing of hatred or lust or envy necessarily exist those moments when we perhaps do entertain such thoughts for a moment longer than we should, and such occasions would usually constitute venial sin.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), April 19, 2004.

It is good to be examining your conscience in terms of your thoughts. Far too many people only think about what they have done. I love the words of the penitential rite (in fact I use it as my daily examination of conscience) "I confess to almighty God . . . that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts, and in my words, in what I have done, and what I have failed to do."

You yet again demonstrate the profound depth of your conversion. Your presence on this forum has stirred in me a deep longing for you to finally enter the Church. I am excited and eager (though not as much as you) for you to be a member of the Body of Christ (the Church) through the Body of Christ (the Eucharist).

Love the dickens out of ya

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), April 19, 2004.

Dan,

I wish it were today. I think the day I join the Catholic Church will be the best day of my life, and I eagerly await it. Thank you for your kindness.

God bless,

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), April 19, 2004.