The Power Of Confession For Mortal Sins In Catholicism

In Catholic theology, a mortal sin is a gravely sinful act that can lead to damnation if a person does not repent before death. Mortal sins are ordinarily remitted by the priestly absolution in the Sacrament of Penance, but this is not absolutely required. In extraordinary circumstances, such as when a Catholic is dying and cannot go to sacramental confession, mortal sins can be forgiven if the sinner repents with true contrition and has the intention of going to confession if possible. This is known as perfect contrition. However, the norm remains that people in mortal sin should seek absolution through confession, and they are encouraged to make an act of perfect contrition while still planning to confess to a priest.

Mortal sins can be forgiven without confession if a Catholic is dying

Mortal Sins and the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church divides sin into two categories: venial sins, which are relatively minor, and mortal sins, which are more severe. Venial sins hurt our fellowship with God, while mortal sins separate us from God. Mortal sins violate the love we owe God and others, and they include sins such as wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony, as well as blasphemy, extramarital sex, divorce, masturbation, and abortion.

The Sacrament of Confession

Sacramental confession is usually required for the forgiveness of mortal sins. However, in extraordinary circumstances, such as when a Catholic is dying and cannot go to confession, mortal sins can be forgiven outside of sacramental confession. In such cases, the person's sins may be forgiven if they repent with true contrition, or sorrow for their sins, and have at least the implicit intention to go to confession if they are able to.

Contrition

There are two types of contrition: perfect and imperfect. Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin that arises from the love of God, while imperfect contrition, or attrition, arises from the fear of punishment or loss of heaven. According to the Catechism, perfect contrition is "sorrow for sin arising purely from the love of God." It is important to note that perfect contrition does not exclude other motives, such as the fear of hell.

God's Forgiveness

While sacramental confession is the norm for the forgiveness of mortal sins, God is not bound by the sacraments and can forgive sins in other ways. For example, in the case of a danger of death without access to confession, God can forgive mortal sins if the person prays to Him with perfect contrition. However, it is important to note that we can never know if we have made a perfect act of contrition. Therefore, the Church teaches that sacramental confession is the only ordinary way for the faithful to be reconciled with God and the Church.

Plenary Indulgence

The Apostolic Penitentiary, the Holy See's tribunal responsible for issues related to the forgiveness of sins, has stated that in cases where individuals are unable to receive sacramental absolution, perfect contrition, accompanied by the firm resolution to confess their sins when possible, can obtain forgiveness for even mortal sins. Additionally, the Church offers a plenary indulgence, or the forgiveness of sins, at the time of death for those who are unable to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Viaticum.

In conclusion, while sacramental confession is typically required for the forgiveness of mortal sins in the Catholic Church, there are extraordinary circumstances, such as when a Catholic is dying, in which mortal sins can be forgiven outside of confession through true contrition and the intention to confess when possible.

Mortal sins can be forgiven without confession if one repents with true contrition

Catholicism differentiates between mortal and venial sins. Mortal sins are considered more severe, as they destroy the life of grace within a person and result in the "spiritual" death of the soul, or separation from God. Examples of mortal sins include those that violate the Ten Commandments or the Seven Deadly Sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.

The Catholic Church teaches that sacramental confession is typically required for the forgiveness of mortal sins. However, it is not the only way, and in extraordinary circumstances, such as when a person is dying and unable to go to confession, mortal sins can be forgiven outside of this sacrament.

In such cases, for forgiveness to be obtained, the person must repent with true contrition, which means feeling sorrow for their sins, and have at least the implicit intention of going to confession if they are able. This type of contrition is also referred to as "perfect contrition," which arises from the love of God rather than solely from the fear of punishment.

Additionally, God, who is not bound by the sacraments, can forgive sins through other means, such as prayer. While sacramental confession is the normative path to forgiveness, it is not absolutely required, and Catholics believe that God can work outside of the sacraments in extraordinary circumstances.

Mortal sins can be forgiven without confession if one has the intention to go to confession

According to Catholic doctrine, mortal sins are those that violate the Ten Commandments or the Seven Deadly Sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. They also include blasphemy, extramarital sex, divorce, masturbation, apostasy, renunciation of faith and religion, desecrating the Eucharist, and abortion. These sins are considered more severe as they destroy the life of grace within a person and result in the "spiritual" death of the soul, or separation from God.

Sacramental confession is typically required for the forgiveness of mortal sins. However, in extraordinary circumstances, such as when an individual is dying and unable to go to confession, these sins can be forgiven outside of the sacramental confession. In such cases, it is believed that God can forgive mortal sins if the individual repents with true contrition, or sorrow for their sins, and has at least the implicit intention of going to confession if given the opportunity.

Perfect contrition, arising from the love of God rather than the fear of punishment, is considered necessary for forgiveness without sacramental confession. This type of contrition is a grace given by God and can be achieved through prayer and penance. While God can forgive sins outside of the sacraments, the Church teaches that sacramental confession is the only ordinary means for a member of the faithful to be reconciled with God and the Church.

Therefore, while it is possible for mortal sins to be forgiven without confession if one has the intention to go to confession, this is considered an extraordinary circumstance. In ordinary circumstances, Catholics are expected to follow the sacrament of confession for the forgiveness of mortal sins.

God can forgive mortal sins without confession if one has perfect contrition

Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin that arises from a love of God above all else, rather than from fear of punishment. It is considered an "act of perfect contrition" when one repents and has a firm resolution to not commit the sin again. This act of contrition is not a replacement for the sacrament of penance but is instead accompanied by the intention to go to confession when possible.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many Catholics were unable to seek God's forgiveness in the confessional due to country-wide lockdowns. In such cases, the Church teaches that it is possible to repent through an act of perfect contrition.

An example of a prayer of perfect contrition is:

> My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Perfect contrition should not be seen as a way to avoid confession, but rather as a way to seek forgiveness in extraordinary circumstances when confession is not possible.

God can forgive sins outside of the Sacrament of Confession

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses from this kind of confession" (CCC 1484). This means that in cases of physical or moral impossibility, such as danger of death or inability to access a priest, other means of reconciliation with God can be obtained.

One way is through perfect contrition, which is a sincere sorrow for sins arising from love for God. The Holy See's Apostolic Penitentiary, which is responsible for issues related to the forgiveness of sins, stated in a note during the COVID-19 pandemic that:

> "Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is, by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. CCC, no. 1452)."

Additionally, according to Roman Catholic theology, if a person receives Christ as their personal savior, they receive permanent grace from God that cannot be taken away, even if they have not gone to a priest for confession. This is based on Bible verses such as 1 John 1:9, which states that "if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all impurities."

Therefore, while the Sacrament of Confession is the normative means of forgiveness for Catholics, God can forgive sins outside of this sacrament in extraordinary circumstances, such as through perfect contrition or a personal relationship with Christ.

Frequently asked questions