Catholic faithful urged not to be afraid to confess sins

A Catholic priest on Wednesday said that the faithful should not be afraid or embarrassed to go to confession. (Photo: Project Kisame/Flickr)

MANILA—A Catholic priest on Wednesday said that the faithful should not be afraid or embarrassed to go to confession.

With this, Fr. Reggie Malicdem, Rector of the Manila Cathedral, reminded the Catholics about the peace the sacrament provides.

“That’s humility but let us not allow them to keep you from experiencing this unique gift the church provides for the faithful,” he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website.

Malicdem added, “Don’t be scared or ashamed so that you will see and receive the benefit from the Sacrament of Confession because we know that God’s mercy is infinite.”

Among the precepts of the Church is for the faithful to have confession at least once a year.

Catholics can go to confession anytime but it has been customary to confess during Lent, especially during the Holy Week.

Malicdem explained that confession does not start from entering the confessional because it requires preparation by expressing sincere sorrow for sins and a firm purpose not to commit them again.

“And so anyone wishing to confess must possess contrition before confession which helps us to express how we feel about getting it wrong,” he said.

Churches across the country will be providing more time for the faithful to encounter Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Penance this Holy Week.

At the Manila Cathedral, confessions have started since Monday every after the Mass.

On Maundy Thursday, confession will be available until midnight while several priests are ready to take confessions on Good Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.