Question to practing Catholics

[smoothie]

This is a very hard question for me to ask, but I'm going to ask anyway.
I was raised a catholic when I was younger, went to catholic school etc. I am now 32 and have recently started going back to church. But at the moment I feel haunted with an abortion I had when I
was sixteen and I was wondering what would be the outcome if I went to confession to confess to a priest? Would he tell me to get lost, would I be Excommunicated?

[Rhubarb]

Ah but the act of Confession is just a chant really. Most people are saying that whilst thinking about what to have for dinner.

To confess properly you need to kneel down on splintery wood, whilst beating yourself with a branch, in the middle of Church, confessing all your darkest deeds in every last detail.

[LadyOfRoffle]

I have the very same dilemma, am terrified of confessing. I presumed confessing directly to God would be OK, but am not sure now. Besides I am not even sure I could get the words out...

[SqueakyPop]

Is that what they tell you, rhubarb?

[Rhubarb]

What, you mean no-one else does that?

[Neenztwinz]

LadyofRoffle, did Jesus say anything about confessing to a priest before taking communion? No, it is between you and God. I know that is not what RC teach but doesn't mean it is not true.

[Neenztwinz]

Just cos I say it doesn't mean it is true either

[SqueakyPop]

Not Jesus, but Paul. I think in 1 Corinthians chapter 1....

[MaryBS]

The Catholic service includes confession, but not absolution. The Anglican service has both confession and absolution.

And many Anglicans, myself included, would say they are NOT protestants! Not that I want to get into that old argument (its available if you google it)

[SqueakyPop]

I am Anglican and Protestant - 39 Articles and all that.

[MaryBS]

I am Anglican and Reformed Catholic.

[Jacksmama]

I was in that situation many years ago. I confessed to a priest, who asked me if I sincerely repented and was remorseful (I definitely was). He then had to speak to the city's bishop on my behalf, because abortion is considered a mortal sin and a simple priest cannot grant absolution, it has to be granted by the bishop. He did in fact grant me absolution, and gave me penance to do (one full rosary every night for 100 nights), and after that I was considered shriven of mortal sin.
If there is a priest you are comfortable with, trust him to be caring and kind. He will not want your sould lost to excommunication. Sincere remorse and repentance are all that is required.
Hugs and love to you.

[Jacksmama]

I meant "your SOUL lost to excommunication", sorry about the typo.

[MonkeyLover]

I've always had lovely priests who are just glad to see you're there and are sorry. I hope that you have, or can find, one who is too. You've been carrying round a horrible burden & if you do decide to confess it you need to find someone sensitive.

If not, there's always a Penitential Service (you know those confession services you get at high demand times like just before Christmas & Easter). I've never heard that they don't apply to mortal sins. You don't have to go into detail about your sins but still get absolution. A bit like going up to Communion. But I personally prefer the no pain-no gain approach, so for the bad stuff I go to 'real' confession. It helps me feel forgiven (by myself, probably).

[BouncingTurtleSkulls]

Yes, if you get a good priest he will not only hear your confession, hopefully he'll offer you compassionate counselling as well.

[smoothie]

All this talk of mortal sin and bishops is really making me feel nervous. I don't know the priests to well, as I have only recently started going back. Also, the church I got to is paticularly big with a huge congregation. Maybe I should think of going to another church in a different area to confess, but I definitely some sort of closure.