V. On Confession Sacramental, to Be Required from Heretics to Be Rebaptized under Condition, If They Are Converted

The Bishops of England petitioned the Holy See concerning this matter:

"Most Blessed Father: Among the decrees of the first Provincial Synod of Westminster, under chapter xvi, n. 8, where there is discussion of the abjuration of adult Protestants, and of Baptism to be conferred upon them under condition, there is added: Sacramental Confession also is always to be required in such a case. In the annotations which Father Ballerini added to the Roman edition of Father Gury's Moral Theology, it is said that this confession is more conformable to the Instruction published by the Supreme Congregation of the Holy Office concerning the manner of reconciling heretics; from which Instruction it is deduced that an integral confession of sins is opportune. In the text Father Gury holds that it is to be advised in practice."

"But since this Author, both in the Theology and in the Cases of Conscience, has cited the opinion of other authors teaching that, because of the existence of a doubt concerning the first Baptism received by neo-converts in the time of infancy (so that, if that was none, the true reception of Baptism is that which is handed on under condition on the occasion of abjuration), the obligation of confessing sins integrally before this conditional Baptism is doubtful, certain confessors in England, following those authors, have judged that a doubtful obligation of integral confession is no obligation; and because of the repugnance of converts toward making it, and because of the danger of an imperfect or even sacrilegious conversion, it is altogether expedient that the converted expose only some sins to the confessor, so that from him they may obtain the benefit of sacramental absolution, if perhaps there is need of it."

"On the other hand there is the constant practice of the greater part of the confessors of the Kingdom, not only advising but also requiring integral confession, both before and after the approval of the Provincial Council; there is the difficulty of converts captivating the intellect unto the obedience of Faith itself, except through humility and submission of soul, which Christ the Lord deigned to place in the Sacrament of Penance; there is also the impossibility of knowing, except through an integral manifestation of sins, whether the neo-convert is rightly disposed for that Baptism itself, and whether he wishes, e.g., to make restitution of reputation or goods (if it should happen that he is bound to this), to avoid the proximate occasion of sin, to withdraw from a marriage contracted invalidly, even if through dispensation of the Holy See (as in the daily more frequent cases of marriage contracted after civil divorce) it cannot be sanated; there is moreover the necessity of providing for his salvation through justification in the Sacrament of Penance, from whose integrity no one once baptized in infancy can be exempted; account being taken especially of the diligence of the younger among the Anglican Clergy in faithfully observing the rite of baptizing, and therefore account being taken of the greater number of those concerning the value of whose infant Baptism it is not permitted to doubt."

"But since it is certain that after several years the obligation of integral confession will have entirely lost its force, if in practice Theologians can follow as safe the opinion of the aforesaid authors, the Archbishop of Westminster and the Bishops of England earnestly beg that Your Holiness, in your kindness toward the missions of England, deign to declare, concerning this most grave question, the mind of the Church: Whether according to the decree of the Provincial Synod approved by the Holy See Sacramental Confession must be required from neo-converts in England, and whether it must be integral?"

On Thursday, in the fourth place, December 17, 1868, the Congregation of the Holy Office judged that it should be answered to both parts of the doubt: In the affirmative; and that the decree issued on June 17, 1715 should be given. This resolution Pope Pius IX confirmed on the same Thursday.

That Decree of June 17, 1715: "Whether full faith is to be given to Charles Wipperman of Rostock in the duchy of Mecklenburg, preacher and reader of Quietistic Lutheran Theology, superintendent and chief doctor of the sect of the Lutheran Quietists, reconciled to the Catholic Faith, and concerning certain errors detected in his Baptism; whether he is to be believed concerning the things which he narrates; and, insofar as in the affirmative, then, that provision may be made both for his salvation and also for the salvation of the others of that sect or region, especially if they are ignorant, it is asked: whether the said Wipperman is to be rebaptized; and insofar as in the affirmative, whether absolutely or under condition? And insofar as in the affirmative, whether he is bound to confess all the sins of his past life? And insofar as in the affirmative, whether Confession is to be placed before or after Baptism to be conferred under condition?"

"The Sacred Congregation of the Office said: that Charles is to be rebaptized under condition; and, Baptism having been conferred, let him confess the sins of his past life and be absolved from them under condition."

The S. C. de Propaganda Fide rescripted to the Archbishop of Quebec, July 12, 1869, that this Response binds everywhere. Concerning the time of this Confession see T. II (e) p. 414.