Confessing sins committed before Conversion.

[goldenchild17]

A friend asked me this and I'm not sure how to respond.

"If I converted to the Catholic faith, do I have to confess all previous mortal sins prior to becoming a Catholic? I have confessed a few, but being 48 years old, it would be hardpressed to remember all the ones I committed prior to conversion. I was told by my RCIA leader, that that wasn't necessary to confess "Old" sins, just the ones committed after becoming Catholic. If this is true, then, I am doing right, but if I need to confess all the sins before becoming Catholic, then I better get started."

Thanks ahead of time.

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
1/30 - Fourth Sunday

goldenchild17,

Good question. One must not ever feel obliged to confess sins that one cannot remember - in this instance, it's usually best to say something to the effect of, "And for all those sins which are hidden from me, I beg God's mercy and forgiveness." If they're remembered in the future, it can't hurt to confess them - though forgiven, there are psychological and spiritual benefits to confessing even forgiven sin (though the scrupulous should never do this). I hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono