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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
confession question	Katie	Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Question: On Saturday when I went to confession the priest told me to do a penance that when I thought about later didn't seem right to me. Basically, the "penance" was to seek counsel from a priest, but I don't think it's necessary and don't believe it will help. So if I don't do it, are the sins that I confessed still forgiven?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Katie: Well, I am wondering how you can know this penance will not be of any help when you have not tried it? In any event, you are obligated to perform the penance. If you think you cannot perform it for whatever reasons, then you can return to that priest and ask for another penance. Or, you can even go to another priest and explain this to him and he can give you another penance. But, you cannot just "not do it." To do that would invalidate your confession. 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

confession question

Katie

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Question:

On Saturday when I went to confession the priest told me to do a penance that when I thought about later didn't seem right to me.

Basically, the "penance" was to seek counsel from a priest, but I don't think it's necessary and don't believe it will help. So if I don't do it, are the sins that I confessed still forgiven?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Katie:

Well, I am wondering how you can know this penance will not be of any help when you have not tried it?

In any event, you are obligated to perform the penance. If you think you cannot perform it for whatever reasons, then you can return to that priest and ask for another penance. Or, you can even go to another priest and explain this to him and he can give you another penance.

But, you cannot just "not do it." To do that would invalidate your confession.

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