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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
really need some help	Becca	Saturday, November 24, 2007
Question: Dear Brother Ignatius, In your other posts you mentioned that a person can be automatically excommunicated because of certain sins. How would one go about receiving absolution? If they’re excommunicated doesn’t that mean they can’t receive the Sacraments? The reason I’m asking is because I was raised Catholic, but later fell away and was involved in Satanism and the occult, plus I didn’t believe or follow catholic teaching for a long period of time. Then I went to confession before my Confirmation, but I still feel like it wasn’t valid because I think I left some things out. After that, I fell away from the faith again for a few years, but now I’m not sure what to do. I want to return to the church and I’m worried I’ll do something wrong again, so I’d really appreciate any advice. Thank you. Becca
Question Answered by Dear Becca: Unless you have committed a sin where absolution is reserved to the Holy See, you may approach any Catholic priest to receive the Sacrament of Confession. The Sacrament of Confession is available to ALL Catholics, even those excommunicated (How else can one be forgiven?). What you need to do is to be sure that you agree with ALL of Catholic teaching. It would be wise to get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and reading it from cover to cover. If there is anything in the Catechism you do not understand then ask (your pastor, or you can post to our Faith and Spirituality Q&A Forum). If you are in agreement with Catholic teaching then seek out a priest and receive the Sacrament of Confession confessing all that you have done in leaving the Church, denying her teachings, and any other grave sins. Once you are reconciled then you may begin living the Sacramental Catholic life like anyone else. God bless, and welcome back to the Church. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

really need some help

Becca

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Question:

Dear Brother Ignatius,
In your other posts you mentioned that a person can be automatically excommunicated because of certain sins. How would one go about receiving absolution? If they’re excommunicated doesn’t that mean they can’t receive the Sacraments?

The reason I’m asking is because I was raised Catholic, but later fell away and was involved in Satanism and the occult, plus I didn’t believe or follow catholic teaching for a long period of time. Then I went to confession before my Confirmation, but I still feel like it wasn’t valid because I think I left some things out. After that, I fell away from the faith again for a few years, but now I’m not sure what to do. I want to return to the church and I’m worried I’ll do something wrong again, so I’d really appreciate any advice.

Thank you.
Becca

Question Answered by

Dear Becca:

Unless you have committed a sin where absolution is reserved to the Holy See, you may approach any Catholic priest to receive the Sacrament of Confession.

The Sacrament of Confession is available to ALL Catholics, even those excommunicated (How else can one be forgiven?).

What you need to do is to be sure that you agree with ALL of Catholic teaching. It would be wise to get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and reading it from cover to cover. If there is anything in the Catechism you do not understand then ask (your pastor, or you can post to our Faith and Spirituality Q&A Forum).

If you are in agreement with Catholic teaching then seek out a priest and receive the Sacrament of Confession confessing all that you have done in leaving the Church, denying her teachings, and any other grave sins. Once you are reconciled then you may begin living the Sacramental Catholic life like anyone else.

God bless, and welcome back to the Church.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum