Catholics-how often do you go to confession?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

Same here.

Is it even required?

Me too although I think they made me do it when I was in pre Cana

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

This. I don't need a priest to communicate with God.

It's not about communicating with God. There is accountability in confessing and comfort in being absolved. It is very easy for us to rationalize that what we say and do is not really wrong or hurtful. Examining your consencience and being contrite enough to confess openly is humbling. Plus you get the counsel of a priest and the grace to make changes in your life. Why go it alone if you don't have to?

Give me a break. You're not even confessing to the person you wronged.

That person deserves an apology, not necessarily a confession. I cannot make you believe the religious aspect of this if you are determined not to value it, but those of us who do understand that the priest alone is given the ability by Christ to absolve sin and impart grace on an individual making a sincere confession. I can feel bad and apologize and vow to not do it again but it is only through the priest's absolution that I KNOW I am forgiven in God's eyes and I have made things right without my penance.

Can you show any Biblical evidence for the belief that Christ gave priests alone the ability to absolve sin?

Actually, you can't. This is a doctrine of men, not Biblically supported doctrine. Why do you follow the Roman Catholic church's teaching on this if it is at odds with Scripture?

John 20:22-23 Jesus and the apostles

"And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Jesus said that to the apostles only -- not to everyone. Priests are the successors to the apostles.

[Anonymous]

I went yesterday. Immediate weight off my shoulders. It felt great. Thanks for this thread -- please go!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went yesterday. Immediate weight off my shoulders. It felt great. Thanks for this thread -- please go!!

It really does make you feel wonderful. I got divorced in 2013 and although I still went to church, I was afraid to go to confession and admit that failure so I didn't go until Easter of this year. I confessed it whil trying not to cry and it felt so good to get it off my chest. I actually then got an annulment through the church and I really feel like that particular confession was a huge part in healing and moving on.