RCIA student in mortal sin?

NaturalEnquirer · #1 Mar 26, '07, 9:16 am

Hi all,

What should an RCIA student do, if he commits a mortal sin? He's not allowed to seek Reconciliation until RCIA is complete, right? Does he have any choice but to put his faith in God's mercy?

Thanks!

DallasCatholic · #2 Mar 26, '07, 9:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

Hi all,

What should an RCIA student do, if he commits a mortal sin? He's not allowed to seek Reconciliation until RCIA is complete, right? Does he have any choice but to put his faith in God's mercy?

Thanks!

At this point in time, at least in my parish, the RCIA candidates have all already had their first reconciliation so an additional use of the sacrament would not be a problem. If they are a catachumen and not a candidate then I would refer them to their parish Priest for guidance.

**puzzleannie** · #3 Mar 26, '07, 9:21 am

participants in RCIA are not exactly students, they are catechumens if not baptized, and candidates if they are. Candidates should be prepared for their general confession and confess before their profession of faith and confirmation. If they feel the need to confess and are ready, they do not need "permission" of the RCIA director, this is a private matter between the candidate and the priest. The catechumens will be cleanse of all sin, original and actual, during baptism. There should be a pastoral person, usually a priest on the RCIA team, or they should ask for an appointment with the priest to discuss their problem and receive pastoral counselling.

If either the catechumen or candidate is in a condition that brings the risk of an on-going state of mortal sin, i.e. an invalid marriage, cohabiting, use of artificial contraception, immoral business practice, whatever, that condition must be remedied before they approach the sacraments.

KennC · #4 Mar 26, '07, 9:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

Hi all,

What should an RCIA student do, if he commits a mortal sin? He's not allowed to seek Reconciliation until RCIA is complete, right? Does he have any choice but to put his faith in God's mercy?

Thanks!

??? We all went through formal Reconciliation with Absolution before RCIA ended and just before Easter Vigil.

... that was up here mind you.

Malcolm McLean · #5 Mar 26, '07, 9:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

Hi all,

What should an RCIA student do, if he commits a mortal sin? He's not allowed to seek Reconciliation until RCIA is complete, right? Does he have any choice but to put his faith in God's mercy?

Thanks!

It is not possible for a non-Catholic to commit a mortal sin. For a sin to separate you from the Church you have to have been joined first. All sins are taken away in baptism. That is not to say that those intending to join the Church shouldn't try to live by her rules as preparation, but they do not yet have any obligations.

**puzzleannie** · #6 Mar 26, '07, 9:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm McLean

It is not possible for a non-Catholic to commit a mortal sin. For a sin to separate you from the Church you have to have been joined first. All sins are taken away in baptism. That is not to say that those intending to join the Church shouldn't try to live by her rules as preparation, but they do not yet have any obligations.

that statement is simply not true. It is possible for anyone over the age of reason to commit a mortal sin. Every human being has the commandments engraved on his heart, every human society and religion has a system of moral laws based on them, and every mature functioning human being is capable of knowing those laws and perceiving the consequence of breaking them. No, a non-Catholic cannot commit a mortal sin with regard to say, obedience to laws of the Church such as Mass attendance, but there are a lot more possibilities for sin beyond Church discipline.

rr1213 · #7 Mar 26, '07, 9:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

Hi all,

What should an RCIA student do, if he commits a mortal sin? He's not allowed to seek Reconciliation until RCIA is complete, right? Does he have any choice but to put his faith in God's mercy?

Thanks!

Repent and ask God for forgiveness.

chrysostom15 · #8 Mar 26, '07, 1:35 pm

It depends on the situation.

- If you are an Eastern Orthodox, you can recieve a Catholic Confession

-If you are a nonCatholic Christian, and in danger of death, you can recieve a Catholic Confession

-If you are a nonCatholic Christian, you can intend to confess later, say an individual act of contrition, and they make confession once becomming Catholic. You're intention to confess alone, will not necessarily forgive your sin (depends if the contrition is perfect or imperfect). Perfect contrition is when you regret the sin because of sadness for harming your relationship with God. Imperfect contrition is when you fear hell.

If you are not Christian, you can look towards your baptism whern all your sins will be forgiven.

Andruschak · #9 Mar 26, '07, 4:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

Hi all,

What should an RCIA student do, if he commits a mortal sin? He's not allowed to seek Reconciliation until RCIA is complete, right? Does he have any choice but to put his faith in God's mercy?

Thanks!

An RCIA Catecuman has all sins forgiven at Baptism. Us Candidates have to do a confession or two. I did an hour long confession on 14 February, and will do a mop up in 9 days.

Br. Rich SFO · #10 Mar 26, '07, 4:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm McLean

It is not possible for a non-Catholic to commit a mortal sin. For a sin to separate you from the Church you have to have been joined first. All sins are taken away in baptism. That is not to say that those intending to join the Church shouldn't try to live by her rules as preparation, but they do not yet have any obligations.

Say what!!

NaturalEnquirer · #11 Mar 27, '07, 7:48 am

So, I'm confused. If I understand correctly, non-Catholics' sins can be forgiven, without confession, right? Salvation isn't solely for Catholics.

So, if I had remained Methodist, but sincerely repented of my sin, I would be OK, right (where OK means simply "not damned")? So why the need for confession of sins that have already been forgiven, by some other means?

Thanks very much!

Br. Rich SFO · #12 Mar 27, '07, 7:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

So, I'm confused. If I understand correctly, non-Catholics' sins can be forgiven, without confession, right? Salvation isn't solely for Catholics.

So, if I had remained Methodist, but sincerely repented of my sin, I would be OK, right (where OK means simply "not damned")? So why the need for confession of sins that have already been forgiven, by some other means?

Thanks very much!

The proper way to say this is: If I had remained a Methodist there is a chance, that my sins might be forgiven. But I won't know until I am judged at the end of my life.

If I go to the Sacrament of Confession as a Catholic I know right now, that my sins are forgiven because I hear with my own ears the words of absolution. "Your sins are forgiven, go in peace"

Bennie P · #13 Mar 27, '07, 8:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

So, I'm confused. If I understand correctly, non-Catholics' sins can be forgiven, without confession, right? Salvation isn't solely for Catholics.

So, if I had remained Methodist, but sincerely repented of my sin, I would be OK, right (where OK means simply "not damned")? So why the need for confession of sins that have already been forgiven, by some other means?

Thanks very much!

I don't know why there is so much confussion on confession?

Myself I went to confession two weeks before I decided to become a Catholic, it was wonderful. Though I was told later by one of the RCIA team members that it was not valid, but the preist I went to, was informed I wasn't a Cathlolic at the time and he walked me through it and gave me absolution and a penance to perform. I beleived Christ's power/Grace was truly there and it was like the one of the crowning moments in the steps I took toward deciding to become Catholic. During the RCIA process I went to confession twice more.

I don't know the "rule", but I believed, and still do, in the sacrament and I truly believed I received the Grace it bestows. (certain grave habitual sins, have totally gone out of my life after confessioning them.)

I'm yet to see where it is in writting on when you are allowed to go to confession, it seems to me, it is really between you and the preist you seek out the sacrament with. If you have been baptised I don't see how it wouldn't be valid?

Now if you are unbaptised, then it is taken care of when you are baptized.

PS If you feel called to the fullness of the Faith, I wouldn't balk at this point!!

NaturalEnquirer · #14 Mar 27, '07, 9:14 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennie P

I don't know why there is so much confussion on confession?

Speaking for myself, this whole thing is pretty new to me. Further, I'm not actually an RCIA candidate yet, because the nearest session doesn't start for several months. So I may be missing the basics. I appreciate all the responses here.

On what grounds did your RCIA team member say that the confession was invalid? I think it's contradictions like this that confuse me. A priest says it's OK, but the RCIA person, who presumably knows this area pretty well, says no dice? Who's right? How can a spiritual beginner like me know what's right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennie P

PS If you feel called to the fullness of the Faith, I wouldn't balk at this point!!

That sounds like very good advice. Thanks!

DallasCatholic · #15 Mar 27, '07, 10:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturalEnquirer

Speaking for myself, this whole thing is pretty new to me. Further, I'm not actually an RCIA candidate yet, because the nearest session doesn't start for several months. So I may be missing the basics. I appreciate all the responses here.

On what grounds did your RCIA team member say that the confession was invalid? I think it's contradictions like this that confuse me. A priest says it's OK, but the RCIA person, who presumably knows this area pretty well, says no dice? Who's right? How can a spiritual beginner like me know what's right?

That sounds like very good advice. Thanks!

Not all RCIA programs/people are created equal. I would not assume that just because some one is on an RCIA team that they know any more than anyone else. Likewise not all Priests know everything one would expect them to know.

I do not know of any prohibition in Canon Law that forbids a Christian from availing themselves of the Sacrament of Penance. Canon Law 987-991 deals with the Penitent and uses the term "a member of the Christian faithful". Canon 204 defines the term "Christian faithful". Canon 205 and 206 address Catachumens specifically. So in this case I would have to side with the Priest. Since I am not a Canon Lawyer and have not studied this in-depth I may be wrong, so take my opnion with a grain of salt.