Vatican Says Confession Not Psychotherapy: Do you confess your sins?

Question Religion

Vatican Says Confession Not Psychotherapy: Do you confess your sins?

by Political Pirate Posted June 05, 2009 00:35:16

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+3 raves

The Vatican says not to confuse confession with psychotherapy. Fewer and fewer people are confessing their sins according to Archbishop Mauro Piacenza. The archbishop is afraid this is so because people aren't so clear on what "right and wrong" are anymore. Piacenza also said that if you don't have a sense of sin, "it's difficult to seek reconciliation."

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+3 raves Extremist Soldier of Christ June 05, 2009 12:32:42

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
But in a secret place with only my G-d. I respect others views on Christianity- but- in my faith- I listen to the scriptures that state "not to go to any secret chambers and pray to Abba, the father". I believe in my views that these secret chambers are the confession booth in any religion- because it is not only the Catholic church that has them- I believe in other religions you also speak to clergies about your troubles. My troubles and my pain is shared with one person, and that is my Father in heaven, through his son, Yeshua, who died for me and is my attorney at law.
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big-t June 24, 2009 08:10:27

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
just about everthig we do in life is a sin im just building my resume for hell lol
Robb June 23, 2009 04:31:52

Answered: No. I keep my wrong doings and sins bottled up in shame.
I don't see the point of confession. No priest can help really help you. He can't forgive or take away your sins.Only God can do that , so why not eliminate the middle man and go straight to the source?
obamawalker June 16, 2009 20:22:08

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I think I would feel that some of these priests have more to confess than I do. But if I confessed a "sin" it wouldn't be in a dark room to some creep and just have my guilt "washed away."
tomem June 15, 2009 04:10:18

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
It may not be psychotherapy, but sure makes you feel more a peace with yourself, your God, and the world in general. For many many years, when Catholics practiced what they preached much more then today, Catholics had the lowest suicide rate of any group. Not so today, but it sure says something about the effects of a good, cleansing confession now and then. Confession...it does the body, mind and soul good.
captkirk999 June 14, 2009 16:41:58

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I am leaning towards athesism but I do see confession, for some as equal as have a private session with a shrink.
kaibaman June 12, 2009 13:30:04

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
I confess my sins, but I confess directly to God. I am Catholic, but I don't agree with spilling my guts, when there is something to spill, to an intermediary. And that's the way it is!!
Duke June 09, 2009 03:43:24

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
Being a practicing Roman Catholic, I confess my sins to a priest. This will have no real impact if I am going there for any sort of psychotherapy or any other reason than as the sacrament given to me by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and founder of the Church, to rid myself of the shame and guilt for those sins. It will not do me any good whatsoever unless I approach that sacrament with the reverence due it, or if I do not use it as it is intended, with true contrition for those sins, and a FIRM and TRUE commitment to do my very best to avoid those sins in the future.
Snap June 09, 2009 02:25:52

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
If I do something wrong...I confess to the only intercessor between God and man...Jesus.
+1 raves
americanalltheway! June 08, 2009 15:01:16

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
Straight to God, I don't need a middle man..
a555clydesdale June 06, 2009 12:21:59

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
If I have committed a wrong I am remorseful for what I have done. I do not do wrong consiously so when I do I don't realize it until after the fact. Ido not run out to confess to another person. What the hell gives another the right to be a confessor and releave a person of there guilt. If you have a personnal relationship with your God and in prayer you express sorrow for your wrongs I'm sure you will be forgiven.
+1 raves
INDO_420 June 06, 2009 10:54:44

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I apologize to God, not some organized monstrosity of child molesters. The Catholic Church is a joke.
Nairb to INDO_420 June 06, 2009 20:04:23

Repeating a slander.
The sex scandal of the church was a homosexual scandal not a child molester one.
• The largest group of alleged victims (50.9%) was between the ages of 11 and 14, 27.3% were 15-17, 16% were 8-10 and nearly 6% were under age 7. Overall, 81% of victims were male and 19% female. Male victims tended to be older than female victims. Over 40% of all victims were males between the ages of 11 and 14.

http://www.bringyou.to/apolog...

3% to 6% at worst of Priest from 1950 -2002, were involved in this. And it peaked in the 1980's like the trouble the boyscouts had with homosexual scout leaders, also in the late 80's. I would say we have a higher percentage of public school teachers pursuing our children than that. Ah the selected outrage, as the slanted and incorrect coverage played the story to avoid criticism of homosexuals, as they have a much greater percentage of their population abusing younger people than any other group. But that fact is never mentioned that less than 3% of the population contains 25-30% of the predators of our teenagers.

http://www.wnd.com/news/artic...

It was the liberalization of the Church that brought this on.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/...

Repeating a slander.
The sex scandal of the church was a homosexual scandal not a child molester one.
• The largest group of alleged victims (50.9%) was between the ages of 11 and 14, 27.3% were 15-17, 16% were 8-10 and nearly 6% were under age 7. Overall, 81% of victims were male and 19% female. Male victims tended to be older than female victims. Over 40% of all victims were males between the ages of 11 and 14.

http://www.bringyou.to/apolog...

3% to 6% at worst of Priest from 1950 -2002, were involved in this. And it peaked in the 1980's like the trouble the boyscouts had with homosexual scout leaders, also in the late 80's. I would say we have a higher percentage of public school teachers pursuing our children than that. Ah the selected outrage, as the slanted and incorrect coverage played the story to avoid criticism of homosexuals, as they have a much greater percentage of their population abusing younger people than any other group. But that fact is never mentioned that less than 3% of the population contains 25-30% of the predators of our teenagers.

http://www.wnd.com/news/artic...

It was the liberalization of the Church that brought this on.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/...
(more)
INDO_420 to Nairb July 07, 2009 23:51:34

Just because most of the victims were boys does not make it a homosexual scandal. Most of the boys that were molested were too young to be considered consensual. Homosexuality can usually be traced back to some sort of molestation, rape or abandonment. Maybe these priests were "gay" before they joined the Catholic Church or maybe they are extremely sexually frustrated because the stupid no sex rule. I tend to lean to the latter because the majority of the victims are helpless young targets not the age that are out looking for discreet homosexual encounters.
+1 raves
Sarah June 06, 2009 04:47:07

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
I confess my sins to God and ask Him to forgive me. I'm not a Catholic, but I have a great deal of respect for all Christians.
X Weatherman June 06, 2009 01:25:11

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
My God does forgive me when I am less than I should be ... as my god forgives everyone. You don't have to read a special book or get his name right. He doesn't really care about that. He isn't holding the carrot of heaven out as a prize and he doesn't need gold for his teeth. He inspires me every moment with the majesty that is the world, and the spectacle of life.
Grey June 05, 2009 21:26:48

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I confess to God. There's no need for a middle man.
bookwormtammy June 05, 2009 20:56:09

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
Let's just say that my moral's are not as strict as some. And wow to the vatican! Giving up that piece of cake must have been difficult for them. God is supposed to be the ultimate phsychotherapist isn't he?
ladytisi June 05, 2009 20:54:39

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
i confess my sins to God daily and ask forgiveness ... through the blood of Jesus
+1 raves
kdizzydaze June 05, 2009 18:43:49

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I have not been to confession in over 25 years - I really need to go. I got so much stuff to confess that they would start charging me rent.
+1 raves
gww INDY June 05, 2009 15:45:01 (edited)

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
I make confessions to the lord not to man, unless it is a person that I have sinned against, that is the only time that I make a public statement. I'm none denominational so we don't make confessions to a person, but public confessions are made in front of the congregation. If it was a public sin. We all sin and fall short of the glory of GOD!!
jacktown kid June 05, 2009 14:59:59

Answered: No. I keep my wrong doings and sins bottled up in shame.
None of anybody's business want I or anybody else do
+1 raves
Kitty Lady June 05, 2009 14:54:05

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I am a recovering Catholic and do not do confession at all any more. I am also too danm old to be out sinning in any major way.
I only go to church for weddings and funerals. Other than that you will not find me anywwhere near a church. Organized religion is as good to people as health insurance companies.
+1 raves
Carla June 05, 2009 14:15:48

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
We are suppose to confess our sins to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we do and ask forgiveness, He is true and just in doing so. But the key is to learn, once you are forgiven don't keep doing it over and over.
BubbaWabiSabi June 05, 2009 13:46:43

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
Another monopolistic whine from the Catholic Church. There is enough sin and the consequent confession to go around so the "Church" needn't worry about not getting all the action.
Some counseling may be required to get the "Church" to back off some from it's "only true church" stance. The idea that "if you ain't talkin' to us, you ain't talkin' to god." is so limiting and inherently false if there is but one god for us all.
The Confession Ritual is like getting an entree to the ear of god when god is listening all the time anyway.
To me, the difference between "Confession" and counseling is the final judge of forgiveness is either god or yourself. If you believe god is us and we are god, the entree is always there.
We all do stupid things at some time or another. Look at the Darwin Awards for further evidence.
Inner peace is what we're after and if god grants it to you or you grant it to yourself, where's the problem.
As the battered black man once said months after his battering, "Can't we all just get along?"
Jimbo June 05, 2009 12:41:21

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
But not too often
+3 raves
Extremist Soldier of Christ June 05, 2009 12:32:42

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
But in a secret place with only my G-d. I respect others views on Christianity- but- in my faith- I listen to the scriptures that state "not to go to any secret chambers and pray to Abba, the father". I believe in my views that these secret chambers are the confession booth in any religion- because it is not only the Catholic church that has them- I believe in other religions you also speak to clergies about your troubles. My troubles and my pain is shared with one person, and that is my Father in heaven, through his son, Yeshua, who died for me and is my attorney at law.
-1 raves
Marie to Extremi... June 05, 2009 14:16:09

Does your beliefs teach you to mock others?
bookwor... to Extremi... June 05, 2009 20:59:17
Nairb to Extremi... June 06, 2009 19:35:16

An old Hebrew saying. 'Never share your problems, as they are the only thing in life that are truly yours.'
+2 raves
Marie June 05, 2009 11:21:29 (edited)

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
"Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain, they are retained" -Oh LordI am not worthy to receive Thee, speak only the word and I shall be healed! This to me is the sacrament of reconcilation-We receive grace from God through sacraments- It is so easy to disregard this teaching- (being human in nature.)If you do not believe, then you are not bound- Blessed are those who have not seen, but do believe. Every Faith is a gift from God- Not preaching- expressing my belief!
cdmsr June 05, 2009 04:37:30

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I would have preferred a "none of the above" option. I am not a Catholic, so confession wouldn't be an option. The church may allow non-Catholics to confess, but it would never happen.

I do think that a drop in confessions might also mean a drop in donations, so the Arch might be trying to drum up some paying customers. (I understand the church has had some rather expensive legal issues.)

Confession would probably be less expensive than psycohtherapy, but the Arch seems a little confused about the process and purpose of the latter.
nancy June 05, 2009 04:31:11

Answered: No. I keep my wrong doings and sins bottled up in shame.
I marked no because it looks like the question is talking about moral misbehavior. I certainly don't do things that are morally wrong.

If I make a mistake at work or something I tell someone so I guess that is confessing.
+2 raves
Katrina June 05, 2009 03:42:28

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
I do confess my sins to God and only our heavenly father God. When I talk to Him it is private and no human being needs to know what I say.
JuiceBox June 05, 2009 03:41:09

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
i keep it to myself?
+2 raves
LJB1929 June 05, 2009 03:12:33

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
I confess only to God, since he is the only one who can forgive me.
+1 raves
jspooner7 June 05, 2009 02:36:59

Answered: If I do something morally wrong...
I follow a code of ethics that I think is morally correct. I don't steal, however, if I find money, I don't look for an owner. Cheating? Maybe if it's tax time.
If god already knows you've sinned, why do you have to tell someone else. Why not just ask for forgiveness?
+1 raves
Katrina to jspooner7 June 05, 2009 03:44:19

You are strongly right. No one else needs to know anything about us. God does know our sins but it still doesn't hurt to talk to Him.
+1 raves
AlyxSara June 05, 2009 02:07:16 (edited)

Answered: Yes, I like to confess when I have sinned.
My guess is that Archbishop Mauro Piacenza does not hear people's confessions like he did in the past because people have FINALLY realized they do not need to confess their sins to HIM. We are to have a relationship with Jesus.
When Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, a new covenant was made - a better covenant because we can go directly to God through Christ now. We no longer rely on sacrificed animals and mediating priests to receive God's forgiveness.
cdmsr to AlyxSara June 05, 2009 04:53:39 (edited)

Catholicism began (they say) with Jesus saying "On this rock I will found my Church." He was referriing to Simon ('Simon, called Peter' because rock is "petra" in Greek, so "rock" = petra = "Peter" = Simon, called Peter became the leader of the Christian Church in Jerusalem, the first Pope. The Catholics claim an unbroken line from Peter to Benedict, and they were and are infallible and they make the rules including the intercessionary role of priests for such things as confession, penance and last rites.

I don't buy it, but there you go.
+1 raves
AlyxSara to cdmsr June 05, 2009 06:21:51

Thanks for the reply. I don't buy it either. Where in the Bible does it ever use the word Catholic or Pope? or Peter was the first Pope? Peter was not the leader of the Christian Church in Jerusalem. The disciples were empowered by God's Holy Spirit. The book of Acts gives an accurate account of the birth and growth of the Christian Church. Acts presents the history of a dynamic, growing community of believers from Jerusalem to Syria, Africa, Asia and Europe. You say two things of interest - "The Catholics claim" and "they make the rules". I stand by what I wrote above - there was a new covenant after Jesus died on the cross. We no longer had to rely on sacrificed animals and mediating priests.