Confession
CONFESSION
BASIC R.C. TEACHING
The naming of one’s sins and their frequency to a priest in a Confession Box or Room of Reconciliation for the purpose of receiving absolution.
From THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN, Francis Connell, C.SS.R., Imp. Francis Spellman. p. 12. “In early days public confession of public sins before the congregation was not unusual; but since the sixth century private, or auricular confession has been the rule.”
From GOD’S WAY OF FORGIVING SINS, J.E. Doherty, C.SS.R. Imp. Archbishop Ritter. p. 28. “The Catholic who deliberately conceals a serious sin in confession is not profiting in the least from his reception of the sacrament; in fact, he is adding a new sin to those which have gone before.”
From CONFESSION MADE EASY, B. Larkin, O.P. Imp. Daniel, Episcopus Corcagiensis. “For those who have fallen into mortal sin, apart from an urgent case when a priest can not be had, Confession is absolutely essential for salvation.” Scriptural proof cited: Acts 19:18. “The Evil One (Satan): `There is nothing in the Church that does us so much harm, and keeps so many souls out of our power, as frequent Confession and Communion.’ One of the greatest misfortunes that can befall a Catholic is to make a bad Confession. Such persons are always hanging over hell.
POST VATICAN II From A GIFT TO THE HOLY FATHER ON HIS VISIT TO CALIFORNIA, SEPTERMBER 1987 – A GOOD CONFESSION. With ecclesiastical approval. “`It was with great joy that I received the news that the Irish Bishops have asked all the faithfuil to go to Confession as part of a great spiritual preparation for my visit to Ireland.’ Pope John Paul II, Ireland. September 29. 1979.”