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Published: July 16, 2009
"We have lost the sense of sin"
Santa Rosa bishop, citing decline in Sacrament of Penance since Vatican II, calls on faithful to return to regular confession
(Editor’s Note: The letter below by Santa Rosa Bishop Daniel Walsh was published in the Summer 2009 edition of The North Coast Catholic, the official newsletter of the Diocese of Santa Rosa.)
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 Every 3,000 miles or so, we change the oil in our car. There may not be any major problem with our engine. But slowly, over time, minor impurities have been building up. If we leave those impurities unattended, they will eventually result in major and costly problems for our car.
Every once in a while, we move the furniture and vacuum behind our couch. If we don’t get to it one week, it’s no big deal. If we don’t get to it the next week, it’s no big deal. If we fail to move the couch and vacuum behind it for six months, it will be filthy with dust.
Every so often we have to weed our gardens. If we don’t the weeds will take over and the garden disappears.
The sacrament of penance is like an oil change for the soul. It’s like moving the furniture of our souls and getting to the places that escape everyday cleaning. It is like periodically checking the garden of our souls for weeds that hamper our discipleship.
Pope Benedict XVI at his homily at National Stadium on April 17, 2008 spoke to us American Catholics about the Sacrament of Penance: “The liberating power of this sacrament, in which our honest confession of sin is met by God’s merciful words of
pardon and peace, needs to be re-discovered and re-appropriated by every Catholic. To a great extent, the renewal of the Church in America, and throughout the world, depends on the renewal of the practice of penance and the growth in holiness which the
sacrament both inspires and accomplishes.”
Since the Second Vatican Council and the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, the Sacrament of Penance has experienced a decline. We can list many reasons but I don’t think one of them is that we have stopped sinning! I think in our permissive society we have lost the sense of sin.
The main point of this letter is to encourage all of us, priests and people, to come back to this sacrament. I know there are many people who for many reasons haven’t been to confession for a long time and may not remember how to go, or may not feel comfortable going. Whatever the reason, I invite all to come back home, come back to the Lord.
In his sacramental presence through the priest, Jesus repeats his question to us: “What do you want me to do for you?” When we have unburdened our hearts we will hear him speak again, saying to us “Go in peace, your faith has made you well.”
Assuring you of my prayers, I am
Your Brother and Servant in the Lord,
Most Reverend Daniel F. Walsh
Bishop of Santa Rosa
Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:36 AM By Dan
I think the sexual revolution in its many forms has seared the collective conscience of humanity. Sex separated from procreation seems like such a small (and convenient -- even good) thing, but the loss of self-control now pervades every aspect of our culture and is even celebrated in parts of it. Add to that the pride that comes from power and riches and you have the twin sins of Pride and Concupisence of which Dietrich Von Hildebrand spoke of so eloquently in his works. Well said, Bishop Walsh. Thank you for being my brother and servant in the Lord.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:22 AM By St. Christopher
Bishop Walsh may be well intentioned, but his analogies completely miss the mark of why Catholics have little sense of sin and need to go to confession. The present Church episcopacy, at least many, understands Vatican II as "remaking" the Church, as "getting rid of the medieval Church," that sort of thing. The resulting vacuum has been filled by every sort of crazy theology, liturgy, moral evil and the like. By opening itself to moral termites, the Church has permitted its foundation to become weakened, perhaps irreparably (at least in its present stage). A new Church will certainly arise, but one rooted in its true and licit tradition, with the Traditional Latin Mass as its center. The need for regular confession will not be lost on its members.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:12 AM By Abeca Christian
"I think in our permissive society we have lost the sense of sin. " Hey that is definitely true! Because as people see themselves as "but I am a good person, or she/he is a good person even though they killed, are having homosexual relations, had an abortion, coveted, etc etc" The list goes on, most people are in denial of their own sinfulness, with this society condoning so much evil what can we all expect. The church in most parts has even become lukewarm, and this is the outcome. Priests and bishops aren't teaching the faith anymore...not as much or not everywhere. God bless our precious your excellency Bishop Walsh for pointing this out, it is very important that we listen with our hearts, repent and confess.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:38 AM By Canisius
Your Excellency welcome to the "Springtime of Vatican II" and all its wonderful results shall we ad declining Mass attendance and vocations (except in the traditional parishes and orders). Its time for all Catholics to face the cold hard facts: When they opened the windows to let the fresh air in, we got the poison of the modern world.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:40 AM By Janek
I see, its all since or because of Vatican 2? Funny most of us have been saying this for 40 years, but please let's not stop at confession, how about starting with the Mass of Paul the VI. Better late than never from our Bishops, but hey at least they are starting to understand it all started with Vatican 2. Alot of this has to do with our Holy Father Benedict the XVI, and his Moto Propio, let us continue to pray for the return to Tradition and may Our Lady continue to guide our Holy Father and his quest for the return to Tradition and the return of the Traditional Latin Mass to ALL of our altars!!! Deo Gratias Benedictus XVI
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:46 AM By frwayne
Oh so much truth! But we are a world that has lost its sense of sin. The grace of conversion always gives one a strong sense of how they have fallen short in living according to the law of God.
Like a married couple - the more they grow in love with each other - the more they are aware of how they often fall short. To confess one faults and shortcomings to each other is the road to mutual intimacy and healing.Denial of sin and faults in a relationship is the avenue to tremendous dysfunction and trouble. Addiction is often the result of shame that overtakes the soul. And it is so with God. His grace comes when we come to an agreement with Him about how we fail to be faithful
And it isn't just preaching about sin that works -it is preaching the forgiving power of Christ. The awareness of Jesus' forgiveness is the invitation to confession Bishop Walsh did a wonderful job of inviting people to confession. It was so deeply pastorally sensitive and even non-Catholics might desire to receive what he invites. And he included the priests in the invitation. They could set a great example.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:13 AM By JimAroo
A Pope said that the sin of the 20th Century was the loss of the sense of sin. Who said this and when did he say it?
It was Pope Pius XII in the 1950s!!! It is hard to believe, but it is true that there were errors in the world even before Vatican II.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:33 AM By DarkKnight
Santa Rosa Catholics have a far better sense of sin than their previous several bishops. In terms of right and wrong, the Diocese made no attempt to recover misappropriated funds from a very well-heeled former bishop. Rather they closed schools, facilities and allowed the perpetrator to go about his mary way. The funds were appropriated to pay off the bishop's Gay lover BTW. And WE need a sense of sin?
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:02 AM By Virgo Potens
Well said by the Bishop of Santa Rosa. But he needs lots of help, because many in the diocese probably won't even pick up the diocesan paper (that's not a criticism, just a fact). Bishop Walsh needs his priests to preach regularly from the pulpit about the importance of frequent confession, and to make themselves as widely available as possible to hear confessions. "By appointment" doesn't cut it.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:08 AM By David
Jesus commanded up to preach the Good News. You all seem to believe in the Bad News. Have any of you ever encountered the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? It doesn't seem that He's had much influence on you.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:34 AM By JLS
David, many there are who meet in union with Jesus in ways that are not encounters. Hopefully you'll run into this some day.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:39 AM By JLS
If bishops want good followers, then they have to demonstrate it by being a good follower.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:49 AM By Gabriel
Wake up David!
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:18 AM By bettyI
I agree that priests ought to preach about the importance of frequent confession. When I went to confession when I was a little girl I said, "Bless me Father for I have sinned. I disobeyed my parents. I told lies." Then I racked my brains to find a third sin because I had the idea that I had to find three sins to confess. I haven't had any instruction since those days and I must confess that I really wouldn't know how to go to confession since it's been such a long time.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:19 AM By Dan
"You all seem to believe in the Bad News. Have any of you ever encountered the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? It doesn't seem that He's had much influence on you." David, most people need a sense of conviction of sin before they are open to the infinite price Christ paid for our sin -- His own blood. As a convert, I recall in my protestant days times where the cross of Christ was powerfully presented and people weeping at the sinfulness of their lives and their need for Christ. I wish I could say I have seen similar things in my 30 years as a Catholic, but I haven't.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:44 AM By Peter
I could not agree with His Excellency more....BUT here is the catch...ITS OFTEN DIFFICULT FOR WORKING PEOPLE TO GET TO CONFESSION WHEN IT'S ONLY OFFERED ONCE A WEEK!!!! Answer....require the priests in the diocese to hear confession DAILY DURING THE WEEK one half-hour before EVERY Mass....NO exception. This will certainly give us more opportunities for confession during the week...and if no one comes...the priest can pray his office or read. No time wasted.
This is practiced especially in Rome and major cities in Italy. When there a year ago I could go to confession whenever I needed to. (ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT POSSIBLE HERE IN THE STATES)... In one parish in Rome....THE PRIEST NEVER LEFT THE CHURCH BUILDING...he greeted visitors from early morning to late evening...I asked Father about this and he said that THIS (his Church) was his office...he found profound joy in being there and being available to everyone. THAT priest is on his way to real HOLINESS!!!!!
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:19 AM By Richard Flores
Who is allowing the permissiveness? That is the REAL issue! When church leadership refuses to do anything about priests that blatantly disobey USCCB directives and thumb their noses at doctrine, why should the lay worry about their sins? When politicians gain the benefit of association with the church without actually following ANY of our beliefs and church leadership refuses to do anything, why should the lay be concerned with their errors? Why should the lay worry about that speck in their eye when the planks are everywhere?
The sad truth is that humanism, relativism, and modernism has become more important than God’s truth. There are NO absolutes within the church anymore! This is causing the crisis as we hear one thing and see another. The hypocrisy is blinding everyone to the truths of right and wrong!
Until the church leadership stands on truth, things are only going to get worse! The nice, cuddly words are NO God's, but man's. God does NOT play PC games at judgment time! While the liberals want us to tolerate sin via man's corrupt logic, God rejects it. Abortion is WRONG. Adultery and fornication are WRONG. ALL of the other sins that the liberals want to justify are WRONG. Until the church leadership forces out ALL of the priests and bishops that refuse to defend truth, things will only get worse! You are either WITH God or you are against Him! There is NO middle ground! The arrogance of humanism is destroying the church from the inside. This is NOT "negativism", but the cold, hard truth that the liberals do NOT want addressed because in their hearts, they KNOW that their beliefs are all lies. Jesus NEVER backed away from the fight against evil. He called sin what it was, evil! Mother Teresa had the guts to stand up for God’s truths without ANY sugarcoating! That is what we NEED today. There is "good news" and it is that God will defend His church if His leaders will NOT!
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:40 PM By ALFONSO
Father Gabriel Amorth the famous exorcist of Rome said that confession and Holy communion are more powerful than an exorcism. People feel so depressed and awful and don't know why; renounce the devil and all your sins with a complete confession and go right to Holy Communion. YOUR CHAINS WILL BE BROKEN. May Jesus be praised in all the tabernacles of the earth!
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:52 PM By Doug
A Shepard who has finally come to terms and recognized the truth. Hopefully his mission has begun to restore the Catholic Faith because recognizing our sins, being sorry for them, confessing them, and amending our lives is the first step in regaining the graces we have lost. Many of us probably have mortal sins on our souls, but dare not face the facts. When we have mortal sin(s) on our souls, we are blind, essentially empty of God's Sanctifying Grace, grace that we need to restore our souls in His favor, grace to pray to Him and see His light on how He wants us to live and react daily drawing evermoreso closer to Him. The Sacrament of Pennance is critical for the salvation of our souls and restoration of Holy Mother the Church. We need to set a good example and be holy again. When we stand in God's favor, we will enjoy receiving more of His Sanctifying Grace from the other Sacraments we partake in i.e. they compound in yielding Grace! Its like a small ball of snow rolling down a snow covered mountain and as it rolls it grows in size maybe even into an avalanche. One shepard has seen the light. Now we need to pray that this light will shed on all the other USCCB bishops. They need to set the Church militant a perfect example preach from the pulpit what is sin and the value of confession, and ensure their priests do the same and make broad confession periods a top daily priority. Forgive me if I am wrong, but if my memory serves me correctly St Malcolm was a perfect example of a priest hearing confessions. He spent hours in the confessional daily, and brought about thousands of conversions by his saintly manor. Pray,and be humble!
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:59 PM By ALFONSO
Dan, Before Vat 2 certain religious orders (esp the Redemptorists) would preach parish missions. These priests were trained to focus everyone on the absolute need for conversion/change of life with no delay. Many would shout and pound the pulpit and even weep. The church would be electrified and everyone would go to confession. These missions would last for several weeknights in a row. I believe that at the end of the mission people would renew their baptismal promise holding a lighted, blessed candle. Although this was not the actual fault of the holy council Vat 2, the strange new theories about the bible that infiltrated seminaries (Prior to 1971 the Pontifical Biblical Commission had Magisterial delegation would always overrule anything tainted by "modernism") and all the other changes so disoriented the religious orders that the old missions mistakenly came to be looked on as outdated. A huge mistake! They would succeed again if tried.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:50 PM By JLS
Dan, maybe you ought to visit a parish which has long confession lines.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:48 PM By Life Lady
Ahh, another good shepherd! His words are like a refreshing balm on a sore. He is calling his children back to the sacrament that makes our peace with God. Great letter, and I hope everyone who reads it does not get stuck in that "Yeah, but" thinking, and just takes his direction, closes their yakkety yak mouths, and stands in line at the confessional and makes a good examination of conscience before meeting Jesus in the confessional. That is all he is asking, and I don't see that its a problem. There usually are little cards inside the confessional with the Act of Contrition. If you forgot how to go, say so to the priest, and he will help you. Love the letter. God bless him, and his letter.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:17 PM By RayC55
It's very simple why we have lost the "sense of sin". There isn't any sin. How are we as good Catholics to know which guideline of the Church is sinful and which is not. We see allegedly catholic politicians flaunt the teachings of the Church every day. Politicians who support, gay marriage, abortion, and every other deviant behavior regularly receive the Blessed Eucharist. When is our clergy, from the Pope on down going to refuse these hypocrites the Eucharist? Encyclicals, letters, bishops writings are not enough. They must show that they believe what they write.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:28 PM By Mark from PA
That sounds familiar, Betty. My big sin was forgetting to say my morning prayers. I was still confessing that when I was in high school. (I didn't really have impure thoughts - go figure!) In fact the one priest used to make fun of me because I was so nice. Now it is different but I think I was more comfortable with it when I was younger although I still go a few times a year. I thought that was not much but when I asked the kids in my Religion class, they didn't even go once a year. I knew the one kid had gone to Catholic school but he said when they had confession he managed to find something else to do.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:10 PM By Angelo
Did this Bishop just fall out of heaven, or have I been living in a cave. Finally a Shepard who does not neglect to lead his flock! Many have lost a sense of sin, and many have never had a sense of sin. After Vatican Council ll. The council was misinterpreted by all who were supposed to lead us to the great Springtime of the Churh. Instead they led us into the silly season of the Church. The Traditional Catechisms were suppressed, and replaced with rediculous heritcal books. Priests were punished for speaking on the topic of sin. At the age of 17, for the first time I learned that sin was an offense against God, and that the wages of sin was eternal death. And where did I learn this, certainly not in catechism class. I learned it from the 700 Club, from Pat Roberstson.
It took a good Protestant to lead a Catholic to God. And today I am a Vatican ll Traditionalist Catholic.
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:57 PM By JLS
PA, have you ever heard of the sin of presumption?
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Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:25 PM By lome
Sinning as a way of life!
Excessive permissiveness as a way of life!
Being politically correct as a way of life?
Conforming to their worldly doctrines as a way of life?
Belonging to the community of conscience as a way of life?
This modernism, secularism ECT. Will head us to Satanism!
Folks, let me tell you, we are citizens of heaven?
So it’s about time. Let us put a stop to it!
Start reading your DRB bibles, English Version,
Start nurturing your souls, and believe in the supernatural and not in UFO? You will have to make a choice!
In the spiritual welfare, there are no middle grounds. This is a fight to the finished.
Like Bishop Walsh said, frequent the confessional for as long as we are in this body, we oscillate too much between being warm and lukewarm. Frequent confession only show that we can't exhaust God's Mercy! While still alive and that's the truth! You hurt Christ more by doubting that.
Why confession? Again let me remind you that Christ Jesus
Blood doesn't cover the unrepentant sinners and the damned.That is why, the "All "should be changed to "Many" in the offering of the wine. For many are called, but few are chosen!
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 12:17 AM By lome
Why do you think it's so hard to go to confession?
First you have to believe that we have unseen enemy who would stop at nothing to undermine any effort that you want done in making a good confession.
Even if you succeeded in confessing your sins, your personal enemy will try to make you doubt your absolution. That is if your enemy didn't succeed first in making you hide most mortal sins that you are currently enjoying?
Oh! How they hate this confession thing. It brings us back rightly in receiving God in the Holy Eucharist.
But the good news is the devils, or demons can’t force you against your will. Or else then, we can’t be penalized for our sins.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 12:26 AM By lome
Folks, Bishop Walsh is right! Please, we can't get wrong following
All Clergies who encourages worships in the pre-Vatican 2.It is ok to be like the SSPX but with the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI. Please don't leave your Parish. The enemy of the church may tear at the walls but be reminded that the foundation is Christ Jesus and Victory is ours.
I pray and believe that Pope Benedict XVI is doing his best. Never forget
That we have enemies within. Yes! Nothing short of Old Latin Mass.
The New Mass which the protestant help composed is also
Valid if offered by legally ordained priest. Christ will use him regardless.
A good priest, the Holy Mass, and all Holy Sacraments are our gifts from God.
Abstain from dishonoring the holy Eucharist by receiving it by hand! Or else what the use of clamoring for Latin Mass If you don't believed in the Divinity and Christ real presence in the Host?
Judith 8
17 Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also we may glorify in our humility.
Judith 8
27 But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for our destruction.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 4:25 AM By RR
It is the 4th. Command of the Church to receive the sacrament of Confession and Communion at least once a year and if this is not done it is a grievious sin. I was always taught by the nuns that if this wasn't done that you have excommunicated yourself from the Church and you need to see a priest. I have quoted the following: the Code of Canon Law asserts, "After having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year" (No. 989). However, the Code also asserts, "It is to be recommended to the Christian faithful that venial sins also be confessed" (No. 988.2). (This regulation is a slight variation of the old "Easter Duty" prescribed by the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) which stated, "Every faithful of either sex who has reached the age of discretion should at least once a year faithfully confess all his sins in secret to his own priest. He should strive as far as possible to fulfill the penance imposed on him, and with reverence receive at least during Easter time the sacrament of the Eucharist.") It is every Catholic's duty to go to Confession during lent and to receive Communion. Nowadays, with the watered down faith being taught, children and converts are not being let known this and many, many other teachings of the Church. So many Catholic teachings are gone or watered down. There is so much watering down of the Faith. We need to continually educate ourselves on the Faith and not be lax and lukewarm. If the priests are lukewarm it is your responsibility to find true answers of the Faith. The Council of Trent is an excellent source for dogmas and teachings of the Church.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 4:31 AM By RR
lome: You are correct. It should say "Many" instead of "All." That's what the Church taught for centuries until the modernised New Mass came in to please the modernists and progressives.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 4:53 AM By Mark from PA
Actually, JLS, I remember a question about presumption and despair from the Baltimore Catechism in grade school. You know that I am a sinner and far from perfect but I also love God. Angelo, didn't they teach you about the 10 commandments in school? We spend 2 whole years studying them.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 5:53 AM By TonydeNewYork
I aks
How often the priests go to the confession?
Bishops and priests have to practice what they preach!
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 8:06 AM By Ski Ven
Mark from PA is such a nice guy. I am sure that he would like to give Satan a nice warm hug. How touching.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 8:45 AM By Grisha
RayC55- OK - We deny the Eucharist to Catholic politicians who support the de-criminalization of abortion. Then those who support gay marriage. We are now going down the slippery slope. What about supporting Civil Unions (I do and I believe so do most American Catholics) ENDA, Uniting American Families Act, no-fault divorce. Where do we stop?
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 9:51 AM By MarkF
Betty, going to confession is a wonderful thing. It goes hand in hand with the Eucharist. As a general rule, a person should go to regular confession, about once every week or so. Along side of that is a process of developing your conscience, of knowing what is a sin and what isn't. There are so many things that we all do that we don't know are wrong. And there is so much more room for growth. The process of self-examination is like doing push ups for the soul. I can't think of any titles of books to read, but I go to an apologetics course in moral theology and have learned a lot. The Church has a rich history in this, but definitely spend some time in daily prayer, the rosary, Mass, Eucharistic adoration and in frequent confession. I can attest from personal experience that it is only when I do all five that I actually grow spiritually. Holy Communion alone, without self-examination and confession, as St. Paul says, only leads to spiritual lethargy and even to spiritual death.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 2:51 PM By j h
bishop walsh, God bless him, has it right. If only other bishops will make the same plea to
Catholics. I myself used to go every other week when I was young. Now I am lucky to go 3 or 4 times a year. But in order to make this reasonable parish priests must sound off from the pulpit, AND make more hours available for confessions to be heard.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 4:49 PM By Abeca Christian
MarkF great post on confession. God bless you, keep up the good fight. God's graces be with you always!
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 5:33 PM By Mark from PA
To Ski Ven. I can't because on Easter we all renewed our Baptismal promises and renounced Satan. Actually I did this twice because I went to 2 Masses where we renewed our promises. But hey thanks for stopping by to poke fun at me.
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Posted Friday, July 17, 2009 6:14 PM By gravey
Grisha, You ask "Where do we stop?" Stop what? Stop believing in the Catholic Faith? Stop defending the Catholic Faith? It's only a slippery slope for CINOs and Cafeteria Catholics.
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Posted Saturday, July 18, 2009 6:19 AM By Joe
I am a Byzantine Catholic. Several months ago we visited the Mendocino coast for a weekend. I attempted to go to confession at a local church. The hours for confession were posted for Saturday afternoon. But there was no priest at the appointed time. I think Bishop Walsh has his hands full with some of his liberal priests.
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Posted Saturday, July 18, 2009 2:16 PM By MarkF
Grisha, I agree with you on that concern. Where exactly do we stop? But let's look at where we are as a Church and as a society as a whole. Are our problems caused by the Church having too much or too little influence over society? Is the Church a place of too much lock-step orthodoxy, or one of too much laxity, dissidence, and confusion? Right now what the Church needs is better catechesis, clearer preaching, rooting out heresy, strengthening the faith and evangelizing the fallen-away. Remember also that what the American bishops say about who is denied communion is not an infallible teaching, it is pastoral advice. The denial of communion is up to each priest and bishop, and no less a man than Archbishop Chaput will not deny communion to a politician. So I don't think that the denial of communion is the most pressing problem facing the Church. Rather the real problem is dissent, laxity and heresy in the Church.
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Posted Saturday, July 18, 2009 4:21 PM By Victoria
Mark from PA, Pay no attendion to Ski Ven. It is good to know that you have remained Faithful, Mark.
GOD Bless You, Dear.
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Posted Saturday, July 18, 2009 6:55 PM By JLS
PA, I'll bet there are signs and wonders happening in your presense all the time, and throngs of penitents traveling from all over to touch the hem of your garment.
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Posted Saturday, July 18, 2009 9:59 PM By Grisha
Joe -
One priest - Out in the boondocks - Fr. get's sick. In our parish in SF we can somehow, someway to find a priest to cover. Rural parishs often just can't. Doesn't have anything to do with being liberal or conservative.
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Posted Sunday, July 19, 2009 12:31 AM By lome
Another reason for a good confession?
First, Confession was really plan by Christ like the rest of church's holy sacraments. The scriptures are telling us that while on earth, our nature is always opposed to that of God and that is where making your flesh slave to the word of God is crucial?
Now who have that kind of discipline?....Yes Catholics are fortunate that we have saints or holy men and women that is honored by the church ,who have done that, been there
Made a great sacrifices mirrored to that of Christ that we can Imitate.(not worship). Back to confession.
RR,this once a year thing is before the introduction of TVs,
Porno magazines MTV,modern sex,and ect.Almost anywhere you look?
How can anybody escape that unless you live in a cave?
So again ,unless you really watch you thought processes,
Satan can trap you.
Here is what Satan doesn’t want us to meditate though, the limitless Mercy of our Eternal Father. We haven't done anything that is beyond his capacity to forgive! (While here on earth.)So to despair is a sin!
God's word doesn't come back to him, without finishing God assigned task. What does that mean?
It means that if you don't have Christ blood covering you, you will witness God’s Divine Justice!
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Posted Sunday, July 19, 2009 10:13 AM By markrite
Amen, amen, amen, Bishop Walsh. Nicely said, not as profound as I would've wished for, but very serviceable and sorely needed from a successor to the Apostles.
Actually, Pope Paul V1, one of the most maligned of the popes by the Catholics who are "more catholic than the pope", said exactly the same thing that Bishop Walsh just said, i.e., Catholics are losing their "sense of sin," more than FORTY YEARS AGO!! The same pope who gave us HUMANAE VITAE in 1968, and I'm certain that we're all very aware of how well THAT went over with the "faithful".-- GOD LOVE YA ALL!! -- MARKRITE
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Posted Sunday, July 19, 2009 1:13 PM By Mary Anne
Bishop Walsh put it very well! Since our society's -- and quite possibly our own -- sense of virtue has been terribly diminished, we need to keep hearing these types of sermons and reading these types of letters in order to help us run away from sin and its near occasions! Reminders, such as these from our clergy, on the need for regular and contrite confession in the the Holy Sacrament of Penance certainly aid us in growing closer to Our Divine Lord and remaining with Him! Gratias ad Deum and Mariam! May God abundantly bless Bishop Walsh and all other devout Catholic clergy who wholeheartedly strive to bring souls to God!
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Posted Sunday, July 19, 2009 1:40 PM By Mark from PA
JLS, did you see my post from Friday where I said that I was a sinner and far from perfect? Thanks for the kind words, Victoria. God bless you too. Semper Fidelis.
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Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 10:48 AM By Ski Ven
Go ahead and ignore me Mark from PA. That would put me in good company.
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Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 2:26 PM By Victoria
Mark From PA,
U-RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
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Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 6:23 PM By Mark from PA
Ski Ven, I didn't ignore you, I answered you on 7/17 at 5:33 PM. Hope that you had a good weekend.
Pacem in terris - Mark from PA
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Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 7:47 PM By FHKJ
The Second Vatican Council has nothing to do with the decline in the Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation. Our society has descended into an explosion of greed fueled by a promotion of the objectification of human sexuality. The good Bishops at Vatican Council II did not call for a reduction in the frequency of this important and beautiful sacrament. The cultural revolution of the 60's coupled with the replacement of the clerical by pop psychology and sociology has "explained away" sin and the importance of personal responsibility.
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Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:31 PM By Bruce
The second Vatican Council had everything to do with it.
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Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:50 PM By Rayc55
Grisha, etal; You are alredy down a slippery slope of your own making. You cannot consider yourself a practicing Catholic if you believe in supporting life styles that are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching. check out your CCC.
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Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7:45 PM By Doug
I was mistaken thinking St Malcolm was a perfect example of a priest hearing confessions in my 16 July 12:52 blog. I learned it was Fr. John-Marie Vianney. Why didn't anyone correct me? Could we be at fault for not knowing our Catholic faith well enough? Are we too wrapped up in this world? Remember part of our baptismal vows: “I renounce all the pomps of Satan, that is, all the vanities of the world, the false treasures of its riches, honors and pleasures, and all its corrupt teachings. I renounce all the works of Satan, that is, all kinds of sins”? Based on the Bishop’s position and blogs above, many of us are unaware of our sins. Sin offends God, we should avoid hurting Him and strive to please Him. He is grading us you know! Our Lady of Fatima said ‘More souls go to hell for the sins of impurity’. What is impurity? Based on An Examination for General Confession from the Redemptorist Mission Book here are the 6th Cmdt Thou shalt not commit adultery, and 9th Cmdt Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, defined: 1. Impurity of thought: Dwelt willfully and taken pleasure in impure thoughts and imaginations? Consented to them in your mind? 2. Impurity of word: Made use of and taken pleasure in impure language, songs? Boasted of former impure sins? 3. Impurity of looks: To excite evil desires looking impurely at self, persons of the opposite sex, and persons of the same sex? At images in books, magazines, TV, films, videos, Internet and etc? Have you by immodest dress been a cause of temptation to others? 4. Impurity of incomplete acts of touch: Alone? With the opposite sex? Unnatural? 5. Impurity of complete acts of touch: Alone? With another of the opposite sex? (Married or unmarried) Unnatural? 6. Occasions of sin: Lived in the occasions of sin? Living in the occasion of sin now? 7. Other sins: Led others astray by presents, promises, flattery, caresses, threats, violence? Taught sin to the ignorant or innocent? Corrupted the young? Taken part in the sins of others? Incest? Debauchery?
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Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7:46 PM By Doug
I was mistaken thinking St Malcolm was a perfect example of a priest hearing confessions in my 16 July 12:52 blog. I learned it was Fr. John-Marie Vianney. Why didn't anyone correct me? Could we be at fault for not knowing our Catholic faith well enough? Are we too wrapped up in this world? Remember part of our baptismal vows: “I renounce all the pomps of Satan, that is, all the vanities of the world, the false treasures of its riches, honors and pleasures, and all its corrupt teachings. I renounce all the works of Satan, that is, all kinds of sins”? Based on the Bishop’s position and blogs above, many of us are unaware of our sins. Sin offends God, we should avoid hurting Him and strive to please Him. He is grading us you know! Our Lady of Fatima said ‘More souls go to hell for the sins of impurity’. What is impurity? Based on An Examination for General Confession from the Redemptorist Mission Book here are the 6th Cmdt Thou shalt not commit adultery, and 9th Cmdt Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, defined: 1. Impurity of thought: Dwelt willfully and taken pleasure in impure thoughts and imaginations? Consented to them in your mind? 2. Impurity of word: Made use of and taken pleasure in impure language, songs? Boasted of former impure sins? 3. Impurity of looks: To excite evil desires looking impurely at self, persons of the opposite sex, and persons of the same sex? At images in books, magazines, TV, films, videos, Internet and etc? Have you by immodest dress been a cause of temptation to others? 4. Impurity of incomplete acts of touch: Alone? With the opposite sex? Unnatural? 5. Impurity of complete acts of touch: Alone? With another of the opposite sex? (Married or unmarried) Unnatural? 6. Occasions of sin: Lived in the occasions of sin? Living in the occasion of sin now? 7. Other sins: Led others astray by presents, promises, flattery, caresses, threats, violence? Taught sin to the ignorant or innocent? Corrupted the young? Taken part in the sins of others? Incest? Debauchery?
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Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:30 AM By JLS
Well, Doug, to answer your question: I for one scooted over your post quickly and finding nothing to argue with moved to the next one. The parish I'm in harps on confession all the time and the confession lines usually are left standing by the time the priest has to go and help distribute Holy Communion.
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Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:07 AM By JLS
Doug, your post of 7/22 8:30 is excellent and perhaps should be reposted from time to time.
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Posted Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:06 PM By Doug
JLS, Don't thank me, instead thank the tradionalist catholics for preserving these catholic works for our salvation. There are 2 other commandments we need to be aware of the complete meaning also, from the same Redemptorist source. The 2nd Cmdt is the second most serious sin and frequently committed. The 5th Cmdt is more than killing a living body, rather ones soul. So often we commit these offenses against God without thinking about how offensive they are to Him. Here they are defined: 2nd Cmdt Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 1. Been guilty of blasphemy by words spoken against God Himself, His power, justice, goodness or perfections? Pronounced the sacred name of God or of the Saints in an irreverentl? Spoken in a blasphemously of sacred things e.g. Sacraments, Crucifix, and Relics? Abused the Holy Scripture by irreverent application? 2. Sworn to a lie upon the Bible or other sacred thing, by the name of God, or His Saints? Wronged your neighbor by this action? Made foolish, thoughtless or sinful oaths? 3. Cursed yourself or your neighbor from your heart? 4. Made any rash vow, broken any lawful vow, put off fulfilling a lawful vow? 5th Cmdt Thou shalt not kill. 1. Been guilty of, attempted, intended or desired the death of anyone by act, participation, instigation counsel or consent (homicide or abortion)? Engaged in serious fights or injured others by blows, wounds or other ill treatment? Intended to injure or ill treat others if you could? Endeavored or intended to take your own life? Injured your health by excessive eating or drinking? Been Drunk? Used drugs? Tried to hinder the generation of children by your act, advice or consent? Refused to speak or salute your neighbors? Given way to passion so as to be ready to commit violence or take revenge? Indulged in a spirit of envy, or jealousy? Engaged through passion or revenge in lawsuits or maliciously defended yourself against the just claims of others? 2. Outraged the feelings of your neighbor by violent language or gross abuse? Been habitually quarrelsome and abusive? Excited others to anger or revenge? 3. Done harm to the soul
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