Question:
I am a candidate and will be coming into the Church this Easter. My problem is that I have yet to make my first confession, and I am afraid of it because when I was 16, I had an abortion. I have regretted it every moment since. Will they still let me join the Church?
Answer:
You have nothing whatsoever to fear. The priest is there to absolve you of your sins—not to condemn you. That sin will be forgiven and nothing that you say during your reception of the sacrament of penance (as confession is formally called) can be revealed. We call this the seal of confession. Any priest who breaks that seal would be automatically excommunicated from the Church. In any case, your entrance into the Catholic Church will not be denied.
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