Confession

[Guest :: Jess ::]

I'm asking this on behalf of my boyfriend. He himself is not Catholic (though he has been attending mass with me). However, he expressed an interest to me tonight about going to confession. He made some mistakes in his past - is a good person, but was a bit of a troublemaker in high school, and it's all starting to weigh heavily on his conscience. Apparently, it all has been hanging over him for some time, though I think now it has become magnified since he has been building a relationship with God since we started dating.

I suggested confession to him, but also noted that I did not know the real rules and regulations of Reconciliation. I was raised Catholic, so I have always taken the sacrament for granted, really. I don't see why he would not be able to recieve this particular sacrament, being Non-Catholic... however, I just don't know.

Any knowledge on this would be GREATLY helpful! Thanks so much!!

[BLAZEr]

Your friend should definitely talk to a priest. It would be good for him to get these sins out in the open and share them with someone who can give him some sound advice for overcoming them in his life.

However, since he is not Catholic, the priest would not be able to offer him sacramental absolution. However, you must remember that God will still provide him with Grace in order to come to a new life in Christ because of his humility and reprentance. This might be a good way to get him to start thinking about coming into a fuller relationship with Christ through the Church.

Tell him to go to Confession and tell the priest right off the back that he is not Catholic and would like to talk about his sins. God Bless!