The priest told me “You won’t go to confession for a month”. But I would like to confess more often

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Question

Dear Father Angelo,

Since it was the second consecutive Sunday that the same priest confessed me, here is the penance he assigned to me: “You won’t go to confession for a month”. He justified this by saying that in the catechism it is written that confession must be once a year. Although I know that he is wrong and that once a year, as far as I can remember, it is the minimum required, unfortunately I do not know the texts well to be able to reason accurately. Since there are few churches and few priests in my area, and as I would like to keep confession once a week, could you tell me if there is any Church text that I can let him read so as not to be forced to change church as penances here are not doable?

Thank you very much in advance

Best regards

David

Answer of the priest

Dear David,

1. I do not know the reasons why the confessor told you not to confess for a month.

He may have seen you are inclined to scruples.

So I respect his determination, especially since what the priest says in confession is unquestionable.

2. However, if he said that the Church’s law is to confess once a year, that is wrong.

The Code of Canon Law in canon 989 prescribes: “After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year“.

This precept was sanctioned the first time by the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) and was issued not to indicate the rule on the timing of confession, but to urge the most fragile to confess at least once a year, making it clear that if someone does not even go to confession once a year, the Christian life is lived with some serious contradiction.

3. In fact, the Church exhorts the faithful to confess frequently.

And it establishes that some, due to their state of life, go to confession on average every fortnight or once a month.

A document of the Sacred Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes entitled “Norms on the use and administration of the sacrament of Penance, especially among religious” (12 December 1970) says: “Religious, in their desire to strengthen in themselves union with God, should strive to receive the Sacrament of Penance frequently, that is twice a month. Superiors, on their part, should encourage this frequency and make it possible for the members to go to confession at least every two weeks and even more often, if they wish to do so”.

4. Likewise in the Pastoral norms for the administration of general sacramental absolution (Normae pastorales from the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 16 June 1972) we read: “Priests should be careful not to discourage the faithful from frequent or devotional confession. On the contrary, let them draw attention to its fruitfulness for Christian living and display readiness to hear such a confession whenever a reasonable request is made by the faithful. It must be absolutely prevented that individual confession should be reserved for serious sins only, for this would deprive the faithful of the great benefit of confession and would injure the good name of those who approach the sacrament simply” (n. XII).

5. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, after having recalled the ecclesiastical precept mentioned above and that the faithful who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must confess before receiving Holy Communion, says: “Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful” (CCC 1458).

As you can see, in the Catechism there is nothing of what the confessor told you.

6. In conclusion, unless you are inclined to scruples, I urge you to confess frequently.

If the priest who confessed you last time does not agree, you will humbly ask him if he can confess you more often because you feel the strength of this sacrament. But let your confession be brief.

If the priest does not agree, however, you will go to another.

7. If by chance you find yourself in grave sin and you cannot confess, you will abstain from Holy Communion.

I bless you, I wish you well and I accompany you with my prayer.

Father Angelo