
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is believed that confession to a bishop is necessary for serious sins. The bishop is a common judge in Israel and has the responsibility to determine the worthiness of the members of his ward. The bishop can help individuals through the repentance process in ways that parents or other leaders cannot. If the sin is serious enough, the bishop may determine that the individual's privileges in the Church should be restricted. For example, they may be restricted from partaking in the sacrament or exercising the priesthood for a period of time. The bishop will counsel the individual on how to strengthen their ability to resist temptation and may ask them to report weekly on their progress in removing themselves from tempting situations. While the bishop does not offer forgiveness, they provide guidance and may determine punishment.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Serious sins that must be confessed to a bishop | Murder, rape, sexual abuse, spouse abuse, intentional serious injury of another, adultery, fornication, homosexual relations, deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, robbery, burglary, theft, embezzlement, false swearing or perjury, fraud and illegal drug sales, incest, and child abuse |
Sins that do not require a disciplinary council | Porn, self-abuse, and Word of Wisdom issues |
Sins that require confession to God and those harmed | All sins |
What You'll Learn
Adultery
In the Catholic Church, confession is seen as an essential step in the repentance process. While personal prayer and sincere repentance are crucial, certain sins, especially those related to immorality, require confession to a bishop or priest for forgiveness. Adultery falls into this category and, therefore, must be confessed.
When confessing adultery, it is important to be specific about the nature of the act. For example, it is necessary to clarify whether the person confessing is married and, if so, whether they violated their own marriage vows or caused the violation of another's marriage vows. Additionally, if the adulterous partner is also married, this must be disclosed, as it adds a further level of grievousness to the sin.
It is worth noting that, while confession to a bishop or priest is necessary for certain sins, the focus of the sacrament is on the person confessing rather than the confessor. The priest's role is to guide the penitent through the process of repentance and help them find forgiveness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They should approach this role with gentleness and circumspection, respecting the vulnerability of the person confessing.
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Child abuse
Child sexual abuse is a sin that must be confessed to a bishop in the Catholic Church. The Church has been plagued by many cases of sexual abuse of children by priests, nuns, and other members of religious life. These cases have involved allegations, investigations, trials, convictions, and apologies by Church authorities. The abused include boys and girls, some as young as three years old, with the majority between the ages of 11 and 14.
The Church's response to the scandal has been criticized for a lack of transparency and accountability, with accusations of cover-ups and failures to report abuse to civil authorities. In some cases, abusive priests were moved to different parishes or countries instead of being removed from the Church.
To address the issue, the Church has implemented reforms such as background checks for employees who work with children and guidelines for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient and do not go far enough to protect children and hold abusers accountable.
The Catholic Church's response to child sexual abuse has set a dangerous tone for how powerful institutions view and treat children and their human rights. To improve its children's rights record, the Church needs to reform its internal policies, increase transparency, and ensure justice and compensation for survivors.
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Murder
In the case of murder, the act of killing another person is a grave offence that violates the Church's teachings. As such, it would be necessary for an individual to confess murder to a priest or bishop and seek absolution. While a priest has no authority to impose turning oneself in as a prerequisite for absolution, they can encourage the penitent to turn themselves in and even offer to accompany them to the police.
Additionally, it is important to note that the Church's Code of Canon Law strictly upholds the confidentiality of the Sacrament of Penance. According to Canon 983, "The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason." The confidentiality of the confessional is so highly regarded that a priest who violates the seal is subject to automatic excommunication, as stipulated in Canon 1388.
In summary, while murder is a serious sin that requires confession and absolution, the Church's teachings prioritise an individual's sincere remorse and resolve to change over external actions such as turning oneself in to the authorities. The confidentiality of the confessional is also strictly upheld, even in cases of serious crimes like murder.
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Theft
The absolute sum, which is considered a mortal sin to take, even from the wealthiest person or corporation, is debated among theologians. This is due to the changing purchasing power of money over time and in different regions. However, it is generally agreed that small pilferings, when accumulated over time, can eventually reach a sum that is forbidden under pain of mortal sin.
In the Catholic Church, serious sins, such as theft, require confession to a priest, bishop, or pope. While the specific person confessed to may vary, the act of confession is considered an important part of the repentance process.
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Drug sales
In the Catholic Church, drug sales are considered a sin. The Bible teaches that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that engaging in drug sales, especially those that are harmful and addictive, directly contradicts this principle by contributing to the destruction of the body and mind. Drug sales often lead to addiction, broken families, and societal harm, which is fundamentally unloving and contrary to the call to care for others.
According to the Bible, Christians are called to love their neighbours as themselves, and drug sales can be seen as placing a significant stumbling block in the path of others, leading them into addiction and destructive behaviours. This action not only harms the individual but also creates a ripple effect of pain and suffering within families and communities.
The Bible also addresses the issue of greed and the pursuit of dishonest gain. Selling drugs is often driven by the desire for quick and substantial financial gain, and this pursuit of wealth at the expense of others' well-being is condemned in Scripture and is seen as a form of idolatry.
In addition, the sale of drugs is incompatible with the biblical call to live a holy and righteous life. It involves participating in illegal activities, contributing to societal harm, and leading others into sin. From a broader perspective, drug sales can also be seen as contributing to systemic injustice and societal decay, with vulnerable populations being disproportionately affected.
Therefore, drug sales are considered a serious sin in the Catholic Church, and confession to a bishop may be necessary for repentance and guidance.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, drug sales are also considered a serious transgression. Drug sales fall under the category of "illegal drug sales" mentioned in the handbook, which states that such actions "may or shall prompt a disciplinary council". This means that confession to a bishop is necessary as they have the authority to help in the repentance process and determine whether disciplinary action is required.
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Frequently asked questions
Most sins can be resolved through personal prayer and sincere repentance. However, some serious sins, such as those regarding immorality, require confession to a bishop before receiving the Lord's forgiveness.
If you don't confess, you continue to carry the burden of sin alone, instead of letting the Saviour take it away.
The bishop will counsel you on what to do to strengthen your ability to resist temptation. He may encourage you to study a doctrinal topic, such as repentance, and then to share with him what you have learned.
Your conscience will tell you when you need to talk to a bishop. When you feel the sting of conscience, act immediately.