Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 146.  Fri 10-04-91 15:56  (RECV'D)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Patrick Spellman
 Subject: Confession

³ I know that I am unable to partake in the Eucharist since I am not
³ a Catholic.  Next week I will start participation in the parish's
³ RCIA program.  I have been attending Mass for almost eight months now
³ and have read and studied about twelve books on Catholism.  I'm now
³ reading "The Confessions of Saint Augustine."
³
³ Several months back you stated that I need not confess sins before
³ I came to the realization that the RCC is indeed Christ's Church.
³ I hope I remember that, but I believe that is basically the intent.
³ Well, I have this spiritual need to confess about some of my past
³ mistakes in life.  I don't know why I'm being driven, but I thank God
³ for allowing this feeling within me.
³
³ My question...Can I confess to a priest now even though I'm not a
³ Catholic as of now, or do I wait until next year before Easter?
 
Dear Patrick,
 
Please, please re-read my message to you of 8th August, 1991.  I did
NOT say "you need not confess sins (committed) before you came to the
realization that the Roman Catholic Church is indeed Christ's
Church."
 
I said only this:  "serious sins must be confessed which SEEMED
SERIOUS AT THE TIME THEY WERE COMMITTED.  If a sin NOW seems serious
because of fuller instruction, but did not THEN seem serious, it need
not be confessed."
 
The reason for this:  one can only commit a serious sin if, at the
time of its commission, he KNEW or SUSPECTED it was serious.
Otherwise, he lacks that SUFFICIENT REFLECTION which is essential to
the very definition of a serious sin.
 
One's opinion about the Roman Catholic Church at the time is entirely
irrelevant.
 
Patrick, we Catholics do not pressure people into joining the Church.
We don't do the "brother, are you saved?" bit.  As an adult, you must
not only be convinced of the truth, but you must be fully instructed
in the truth of Catholic doctrine before you can be received into
full and active communion with us.
 
You are welcome at any time to speak to a priest about any matter you
need to talk about.  Ask him to guide you to make an act of PERFECT
CONTRITION--I do not doubt that you have already made it--wherein God
readily forgives all your sins.  But be patient and undergo
instruction and prepare fully for your initiation to the sacraments
of penance and Eucharist.
 
Permit me one more comment:  it has been my experience that many
serious inquirers (like you, perhaps) tend to regard as serious sins
things they have done which were NOT serious.  They are pained by
guilt without need.  One of the most important things you will do in
RCIA is to form your conscience according to true Catholic
principles, so that you can live in the full freedom and joy which
Jesus Christ wishes for you.
 
                                       Sincerely in Christ,
                                       Father Mateo