Can a Catholic priest refuse to give you confession?
466913
A priest is bound by Canon law to hear a confession :\n\nIn reply your question, first of all I find it difficult for a priest to refuse hearing someone's confession. What do you mean by a "closed" confessional...I presume a door or screen?\n\nCanon 986 of the Code of Canon Law makes it clear that priests are to hear the confessions of the faithful "when they reasonably ask for it." Here's the canon:\n\nCanon 986.1 "All to whom the care of souls is committed by reason of an office are obliged to provide that the confessions of the faithful entrusted to their care be heard when they reasonably ask to be heard and that the opportunity be given to them to come to individual confession on days and hours set for their convenience."\n\nAs to the place, Canon 964.1 states, "The proper place to hear sacramental confessions is a church or an oratory (chapel)." 964.3 states, "Confessions are not to be heard outside the confessional without a just cause."\n\nSo there it is! If a priest chooses not to hear a confession in a closed confessional, it is his choice, however, the sense of the canon law seems to be that he should not refuse and every priest is bound to the seal of confession no matter where it is heard.\n\n\nHope this is helpful. Father Arnister
528469
I don't speak for the Catholic Church by any means, but you are not going to get a REAL priest to answer this unless you talk to him in person.  They would not answer because they are told not to answer on forums like this.  The Catholic Church is very political and protective of its doctrine, its priests, and its assets.  They would never open themselves up to the criticism that you would get from answering those questions in a forum like this.  \n\nSo, if you really want to know the answers, you need to go ask a priest in person.  You can find one at your nearest Catholic Church.
233772
What OPM said. And Mr Cool is partly right about confession being sealed. A priest who reveals anything at all about any confession is excommunicated. This includes alerting the authorities about crimes. This works, because if the penitent is truly sorry for what they have done, they will confess their crime themselves to the authorities.
192119
Absolutely.  We all let Him down at times.  He wants us to just keep coming back to Him.  I find the Catholic sacrament of reconciliation (confession) helpful in such situations.
59541
I couldn't find six steps - but this may help:\nHow to Make a Good Confession\n\nThe Sacrament of Reconciliation is the normative means by which a Christian avails themselves of the mercy and grace of God for the forgiveness of sins.  The two effects of confession are the sacramental forgiveness of sin through the redemption of Jesus Christ, and an increase in grace that helps renew a Christian’s soul and increase their ability to resist temptation.  In an earlier article, I dealt with answering the question of why Catholics practice confession of sins to a priest.  If you need an answer to this question, click here for an answer.  In this article I will help instruct the reader on how to make a good confession.\n\n Requirements for Confession\n\n Under normal circumstances only a baptized Catholic can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  However, this restriction can be lifted in the case of grave circumstances (such as imminent death of a non-Catholic Christian).  For Catholics, three things are required for a valid sacramental confession.  First, the Catholic must examine his conscience honestly and thoroughly and must not withhold confession of any mortal sins (CCC 1456).  Second, the confessor must be contrite and repentant (CCC 1451). A contrite person will seek the Sacrament of Confession because he is sorry for his sins.   Love for God is the best motivation for seeking God’s forgiveness, but even if the confessor is not perfectly contrite (and seeks forgiveness out of simple fear of hell) the Sacrament of Reconciliation will still remain valid (CCC 1453).  However, if a person enters the Sacrament with the intention of committing the sin later, then this person is not sorry for his sins and the sin will not be forgiven.  Finally, the confessor must complete the penance assigned to him by the priest as soon as possible (CCC 1494). \n\nWhat to do in the Confessional\n\n 1) Wait for your turn at the Confessional, and if you have not done so examine your conscience\n\nWhether you examine your conscience at home or in the church, it is important that you honestly examine your actions since the last confession.  All mortal sins and the approximate number of times they were committed must be confessed for a valid confession.  Venial sins do not have to be confessed, but if you desire to do so you may.  If you believe your confession will last a great deal of time (in excess of fifteen minutes) it is advisable to schedule a private confession with the priest.  A private confession is a good idea for those who have either left the Church, committed a sin which requires possible counseling, or have not confessed in a long time.  If you want to know what a mortal sin is and need help examining your conscience, click here.\n\n2) Enter the Confessional and choose either a face-to-face confession or anonymous confession\n\nSince Vatican II, most parish churches allow the confessor to choose between a face-to-face or anonymous confession.  Usually, this is done by dividing the confessional room into two halves separated by a grill or curtain.  If you desire an anonymous confession simply kneel down in front of the curtain (the curtain will separate you from the priest) and the priest will begin the confession.  If you desire a face-to-face confession, simply walk around the curtain and sit in the chair opposite the priest.  Remember that you are about to confess your sins to Jesus Christ’s representative on earth.  You confess to Christ and the Church.  Your humility, honesty, and penitence should be tempered by this fact.  Also remember that confessions are absolutely confidential.  The priest will never share your sins with anyone else.  He is instructed to keep the seal of the confessional even under pain of death; so do not let your worries affect your confession.\n\n3)  The priest will begin the Confession with the prayer of the Sign of the Cross\n\nMake the sign of the cross and say, “Forgive me Father for I h
917068
No you cannot refuse.  But you are not asked to swear on a Bible.  You are asked if you solemnly avow that you will tell the truth and are expected to do so or face possible charges of perjury.
1179517
Orthodox sacraments are not illicit.  Illicitness comes from a violation of the norms/canons that govern the particular Rite.  The Orthodox Churches operate under a different Rite than the Roman Rite so the canons of the Roman Catholic Church do not apply to the Orthodox Church (nor would they if the Orthodox were in communion with the Roman Rite).  In my reading on the subject, schism doesn't make a sacrament illicit, rather receiving a schismatic sacrament makes the sacrament illicit for those of the Catholic Rites, unless they have a grave/just reason for doing so.\n\nIt is therefore my understanding from Vatican II and other documents that.\n\n1.  If you, as a Catholic, have a grave/just reason for receiving the Eucharist in a Schismatic Church, you may do so.\n2.  Attendance of an Orthodox Mass (they call it Divine Liturgy) does not fulfill your Sunday Mass obligations.\n3.  However, because there is a lack of communion between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, you should not receive communion at a normal Divine Liturgy unless invited to by the Orthodox priest.\n4.  If you plan on attending a Divine Liturgy, and have a just reason (as in you cannot attend a Catholic Mass or have an strong sence of theological communion with the Orthodox while being fully Catholic) call the priest before hand, tell him that you are Catholic, will be attending the Divine Liturgy, that you would like his permission to partake of the Eucharist.\n5.  IF HE SAYS NO UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO RECEIVE!!!\n\nsuggested reading   CALLED TO COMMUNION by Ratzinger (B16)
941758
Be very careful about "web" priests. Anyone can pretend to be one.\n\nI suggest you walk down to your local parish and have a friendly chat with one in person.\n\nWith love in Christ.
759291
It is a matter of God. If you choose to confess to a priest or other religious leader they can/should/will tell you that you are forgiven because scripture says God forgives all who confess and repent but it is God that forgives not the religious leader.
269463
I think you misunderstand teh role.  Except for priests of the Roman Patriarchate, Rome does not make rules for people.  Catholics follow the rules set down by divine revelation.  Now, for purposes of practicality, certain processes occur in a regulated manner.  For example, morning prayer is sung during the morning evening prayer isn't.  If it doesn't impact divine revelation, then it is optional.  On the other hand, if you disagree with divine revelation you will do what you want anyway, so they don't matter then.
622477
Sadly - the truth may be that you cannot.  But perhaps someone else can - like a priest, psychologist etc.  BUT - the first rule about helping someone is they must WANT to be helped - if they do not - then there is nothing you can do about that.
351826
I watched a great documentary on sexuality and the Catholic Church, and when one particular researcher on the subject was asked that question, he responded as follows. He felt that because no priests are allowed to engage in any sexual act, pedophiles and even homosexuals who have come to believe that their sexual preference is wrong enter the priesthood because they know they can't have sex anyway, so they feel like the priesthood will prevent those feelings from developing. However, as we've seen, that doesn't always provide a solution.
853835
This is a Roman Catholic teaching which has changed over the years .  They used to teach this more prominantly than they do now.\n\nChristians do not believe it is possible for a person who is incapable of Hearing the Word, Believing the Word, Repenting of sin, Confessing the name of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, being immersed for the remission of sins, (and then walking faithfully) will go to hell.  Hell (Tartarus) is reserved for willful sinners.  Babies, innocents, or the mentally challenged cannot do these things.  God would be unjust if He held them to these commands.
249277
Just get it off your chest in front of him. Have a face-to-face talk with him in private where there is no disturbance(Also, switch off the mobiles). Get him to respond to your confession and be ready to accept whatever answers he's going to give you. Respect his answers if they are not what you want. Do not ever get mad with him for you already know his preference.
594594
you can refuse anything in court if you want to.  Now they may not agree with you...lol\nbut that is your prerogative if you wish to get thrown in the hoosegow....lol
629241
You shouldnt confess to someone other than God. I dont know why Catholics do that. I grew up Catholic and that was one of the major problems I had with the religion. It doesnt make any sense. You are right. Priests are just humans. \n\nBottom line: your relationship with God is between you and God. You know what the relationship is and you know what works for you. Do what you feel is right and dont let anyone boss you around or make you do something you dont feel in your heart.
864087
I don't know if it's actually Canon law or not, but I do know that it's a very strong tradition at the very least. \n\nThe reason is so the former priest doesn't come in to interfere with the current priest's ministry. \n\nAt our church, the retired rector respectfully stayed away for two years so our new priest could reorder matters to his own preference. He now discreetly attends services towards the back of the church. In addition, two other retired Episcopal priests also attend services, but decline to serve on committees, lest it be interpreted as an attempt to interfere.