Author Topic: Question about the necessity of confession for converts (Read 813 times)

MarylandTrad · « **on:** March 27, 2015, 06:19:14 PM »

It is my understanding that only those converts to Catholicism from Protestant sects that have probable valid baptisms, have to go to confession before receiving their first Holy Communion. Converts from other religions or atheism do not have to go to confession before their first Holy Communion because they are baptized by water beforehand, on the same day.

Yet it seems to me that if there was a such thing as baptism of desire, then all converts, even those from non baptizing sects, should have to go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion; because how would one possibly know or not if they received baptism, by their desire, months or years before they finished their Catechism instruction? What if the convert received baptism, by desire, when they initially started going to the rectory to receive religious instruction from the priest. Is not likely, or at least possible, that this convert might commit a mortal sin during the several months it takes to be instructed in the Catechism? If so, wouldn't this convert be in the same situation as a Protestant convert who has fallen into sin after his probable valid baptism, and whom has to go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion for precisely that reason? If one has received baptism, by their desire, and then commits a mortal sin afterwards before finishing Catechism instruction, I do not see how they are any different then the Protestant convert who has committed a sin after his likely valid baptism that he received in the Protestant sect.

Or is baptism of desire of such a different nature than baptism by water and the Holy Ghost, that it is not really worth being called baptism?

Matto · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2015, 08:49:25 PM »

Quote from: MarylandTrad

It is my understanding that only those converts to Catholicism from Protestant sects that have probable valid baptisms, have to go to confession before receiving their first Holy Communion. Converts from other religions or atheism do not have to go to confession before their first Holy Communion because they are baptized by water beforehand, on the same day.

Yet it seems to me that if there was a such thing as baptism of desire, then all converts, even those from non baptizing sects, should have to go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion; because how would one possibly know or not if they received baptism, by their desire, months or years before they finished their Catechism instruction? What if the convert received baptism, by desire, when they initially started going to the rectory to receive religious instruction from the priest. Is not likely, or at least possible, that this convert might commit a mortal sin during the several months it takes to be instructed in the Catechism? If so, wouldn't this convert be in the same situation as a Protestant convert who has fallen into sin after his probable valid baptism, and whom has to go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion for precisely that reason? If one has received baptism, by their desire, and then commits a mortal sin afterwards before finishing Catechism instruction, I do not see how they are any different then the Protestant convert who has committed a sin after his likely valid baptism that he received in the Protestant sect.

Or is baptism of desire of such a different nature than baptism by water and the Holy Ghost, that it is not really worth being called baptism?

Interesting question. Remember though in the one instance in scripture where we see what could have been baptism of desire, the person in question was baptized anyway. I think that the sacrament would forgive all sins and all debt due because of sins even if the person had previously had baptism of desire.

MarylandTrad · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2015, 10:50:32 PM »

Quote from: Matto

Interesting question. Remember though in the one instance in scripture where we see what could have been baptism of desire, the person in question was baptized anyway. I think that the sacrament would forgive all sins and all debt due because of sins even if the person had previously had baptism of desire.[/quote]

If they already received baptism, by desire as you say, then the second baptism by water would be null, no? Just as in the case of Protestant converts who are conditionally baptized, when it turns out that their original baptism by a Protestant minister was valid (which many baptisms done by Protestants are). That is why Protestant converts, even though conditionally baptized, still have to go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion. There is a possibility that their conditional baptism is null, if their first one was valid.

In the Nicene Creed it is written "Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum"

Does baptism of desire fall under the one baptism that remits sin? If so, why would one who has possibly already received the remission of sins via baptism of desire, not have to go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion, since they may have committed more mortal sins in the time it takes to learn Catechism after receiving their one baptism, just a Protestant has to go to Confession even if he is conditionally baptized again.

Or can baptism of desire not remit sins? In which case it would not deserve to be called baptism, in my opinion.

MarylandTrad · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2015, 11:09:05 PM »

What I meant to say is that if one has already received baptism, by desire, then their being baptized again by water would be null right? Just as in the case of Protestant converts whose conditional baptism would turn out to be null if their first baptism was valid. These converts have to go to confession just to be safe, in case they were already baptized. Since so many proponents of baptism of desire say that we don't know who has received baptism and when, surely it would be the only safe route to make every convert from every walk of life go to confession before receiving first Holy Communion, in case the convert already received baptism, by desire, maybe years or even decades before deciding to convert (through invincible ignorance and the desire to do the will of God).