Dear Harry,
Perfect and imperfect contrition is described in nos. 1451 - 1453
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (and have you purchased
your own personal copy of C.C.C. yet?)
1451 Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies first
place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for
the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin
again."
1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above
all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of
charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also
obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm
resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon
as possible.
1453 The contrition called "imperfect" (or "attrition") is
also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is
born of the consideration of sin's ugliness or the fear of
eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the
sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience
can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting
of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental
absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot
obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to
obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.
The annotation to canon 916 in the St. Paul University (Canada)
edition of the Code of Canon Law reads in part:
"An act of perfect contrition does indeed provide forgiveness
of mortal sin ... the obligation to confess before receiving
the Eucharist remains. This obligation can only be lawfully
dispensed when, perfect contrition being presumed, the
following two conditions are met: 1) a grave cause: danger of
death or of embarrassment if communion is not taken or
celebrated; 2) the impossibility of making a prior confession
through lack of a confessor. Naturally, the act of contrition
requires, as one of its integral parts, the firm intention to
confess, which must be satisfied at the earliest opportunity.
If one seriously believes that his sorrow for sin arises from
love of God above all else and not from self-serving motives
(like fear of hell or of purgatory), then he may assume his
contrition is perfect. Obviously, there is no absolute
certainty in this matter, nor is absolute certainty required.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mateo
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit -
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