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Tag Archives: confession
ASK FATHER: If the priest says an invalid absolution and I drop dead after… what happens to me?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, a question – if a penitent is in a state of mortal sin, and they go to confess their sins to a priest, and the penitent does everything necessary on their part for the sacrament … Read More
ASK FATHER: When giving me absolution, Father did not say “ALL your sins”. Was that invalid?
From a reader…. QUAERITUR: At my last Confession, during the absolution, the priest said: “I absolve you from your sins, in the name, etc.” Note that he did not say “from ALL your sins”. Does this mean the absolution is … Read More
ASK FATHER: Can priests refuse to hear confessions face to face?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: A bishop made a comment about saying that a priest doesn’t have the power to deny a penitent face to face confession. In other words, a bishop basically said “ a priest can’t override a penitent … Read More
ASK FATHER: I forgot to confess a detail about a mortal sin. Do I have to re-confess everything?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I know we must confess mortal sins in kind and number and the details which change the nature of the sin. I confessed a set of past sins and mentioned an important detail which changed the … Read More
ASK FATHER: Can confessors in any way act upon information they receive in confession?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can confessors in any way act upon information they receive in confession? While looking up information regarding the seal of confession, I came across a reference to a fifteenth-century English canonist, William Lyndwood. He states that … Read More
ASK FATHER: Making a General Confession
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Watching the signs of our times and considering my life, I feel God is calling me to make a general Confession. So I set the date for next Tuesday, but I am in need of some … Read More
“Today I made my first Confession in over 30 years”
From a reader… Father, if you need some good news, today I made my first Confession in over 30 years. Despite twisting myself into anxious knots for days beforehand, it all went very easily and Father was very kind and … Read More
ASK FATHER: Priest gives absolution while I am saying Act of Contrition
From a reader… QUAERITUR: In all the time I have gone to confession, I say the Act of Contrition, and then the priest absolves me. However, the priest at my new parish does Absolution at the same time I am … Read More
ASK FATHER: Form of absolution was just “I absolve you OF your sins” instead of “FROM your sins”.
From a reader… QUAERITUR: if the priest says” of your Sins, instead of “from your Sins” in absolution would the Absolution still be valid and if it is valid could you explain where of and from differ or were they … Read More
In time of Coronovirus a priest foolishly suggests confession by phone. FAIL!
UPDATE 28 March 2020: The CDW instructed the USCCB that mobile phones should not be used to amplify vocal exchanges between confessor and penitent, when the penitent is at least a little distant from, but still with, the priest. CNA … Read More
ASK FATHER: I might be contagious. Would it be a sin to go to confession to an elderly priest?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Given that the priests at the chapel where I typically confess are all rather elderly and at high risk should they become infected, would it potentially be morally problematic to go to confession and put them … Read More
ASK FATHER: What about confession if the virus gets really bad and we are all locked down?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I just read that Italy is taking the measure of locking down the entire country, 60 million people, until 3 April. I don’t know if this is irrational panic or not. Let’s say that it is. … Read More
Death, #KobeBryant, and You
You will hear a great deal in the next few days about the early death of basketball star Kobe Bryant, who seems to have been a practicing Catholic. It might even bump some impeachment coverage off the waves. A death … Read More
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ASK FATHER: Why can’t I confess my sins to God and not the priest?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: if god forgives sins why cant i confess my sins to god and ask god to forgive me does that suffice for confession This is one of the oldest and most common Protestant objections to the … Read More
ASK FATHER: A priest gave me a penance in confession that was too hard
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Long ago I went to confession and was given and reluctantly agreed to\ a rather onerous penance not required by justice. I didn’t end up doing it after thinking about it for a while and went … Read More
ASK FATHER: Am I still forgiven if I don’t to my assigned penance?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I saw a tweet about a question on confession. The person said the penance she got from the priest in confession was hard but she didn’t completely do it. She wanted to know if she was … Read More
What “GO TO CONFESSION!” produces
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am inspired by your words about the importance of regular confession and preparing our soul for the end of our earthly pilgrimage, as well as your blunt Truthfulness about the pains and anguish of Hell. … Read More
A revert and the power of a good confession: “I left like a new man.”
From the site of my friend Marcus Grodi, the Coming Home Network Carlos Zamora was raised Catholic, and went to confession a few times, but never took it seriously. When he returned to the Church later in life, and finally … Read More
A priest’s prayers before and after making his own confession
From an old prayerbook for priests which I’ve had since before my ordination. They are dense with old wisdom. Here are two prayers, in Latin and English, for priests, for before and after they make confession their own confession. I’ve … Read More
