Part — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
On the Third Precept of the Church, or On Annual Confession
- This precept is contained in Lateran Council IV, held under Innocent III in the year 1218, canon 21, which reads thus: "Every faithful person of either sex, after he has reached the years of discretion, shall faithfully confess all his sins alone, at least once in the year, to his own Priest," namely to the Pope, Bishop, Parish Priest, or Priest approved by the Bishop. - Bened. XIV, de Syn., l. XI, c. 14, n. 2-6.
- Questions. - Q. 1. When are children considered to have reached the years of discretion, so that they are bound by the precept of annual confession?
Resp. When they are capable of mortal sin; and this must be judged not from age alone, but chiefly from the degree of understanding or discretion of good and evil. Sufficient discretion is considered to be present in those who already apprehend that lying or disobedience is evil, or who blush over certain impure actions, etc.
Hence Pastors of souls are bound gradually to prepare even little children of seven years for confession, and to absolve those in whom they notice mortal sin, even doubtful mortal sin 1, at least within the year by force of the Lateran Council. - St. Lig., l. 6, n. 662-666; l. 3, n. 270. In doubt about discretion, let them be absolved under condition. - St. Lig., de Poenit., n. 666.
1 But someone would think most foolishly also that little children should be dismissed without absolution, although it is established that they are stained by no mortal fault, not even doubtful. For would anyone doubt that the sacrament in these also has its force, and confers grace ex opere operato? Or why will the minister of God deprive these souls, very dear to God, of that grace which both makes them dearer to God and gives them very much protection and strength for preserving the state of grace? On this argument Joseph Frassinetti must certainly be seen in the excellent work whose title is Manuale del Parroco novello, Part II, Chap. II, § 6, where he opportunely dispels certain anxieties by which some are pressed concerning the sufficient disposition of children for receiving this sacrament.
Therefore Confessors gravely err and cannot be excused who never wish to absolve children committed to them before the age of first Communion. - St. Lig., ibid. Q. 2. Whether he who is not burdened by mortal sins is bound to confess venial sins by reason of the precept of annual confession?
Resp. It is denied; because the Church commands only that confession which is from the institution of Christ. But Christ commanded no other confession except that of mortal sins, as the Council of Trent explains, sess. 14. - St. Lig., l. 6, n. 667, and others commonly.
Moreover, as to practice this question is of the least moment; for what faithful person burdened only by venial sins omits to confess at least once in the year, or is accustomed to approach the sacred Synaxis unconfessed from year to year?
Q. 3. Whether he who has not confessed for a whole year is bound to confess as soon as possible?
Resp. It is affirmed. Because the term of the year was not placed by the Church for ending the obligation, but only for urging it. - St. Lig., l. 6, n. 668.
- Q. 4. Whether an annual confession which is not made to the Parish Priest or to another with the permission of the Parish Priest is to be considered valid?
Resp. It is affirmed. - Thus commonly; and today, says St. Liguori, it is certain from universal custom. Compare the things to be said concerning the Sacrament of Penance, c. 2. - See Cases, n. 443 and following.
See more concerning confession in the Treatise on the Sacrament of Penance.