Bishop encourages Catholics to confession, the ‘oil change for the soul’
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Bishop Daniel Walsh

Santa Rosa, Calif., Jul 17, 2009 / 06:49 am (CNA).- Comparing the Sacrament of Penance to “an oil change for the soul” and weeding one’s garden, Bishop of Santa Rosa, California Daniel Walsh has urged Catholics to return to regular confession of their sins.

Writing in the Summer 2009 of the diocesan newsletter The North Coast Catholic, Bishop Walsh noted that car engines which don’t receive oil changes build up minor impurities and eventually result in “major and costly problems.”

Likewise in other common tasks, failing to clean hard-to-reach parts of a house will result in areas “filthy with dust.” Failing to weed a garden allows weeds to “take over” and crowd out the garden.

“The sacrament of penance is like an oil change for the soul,” the bishop said. “It’s like moving the furniture of our souls and getting to the places that escape everyday cleaning. It is like periodically checking the garden of our souls for weeds that hamper our discipleship.”

He cited Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for Catholics to rediscover the “liberating power” of the Sacrament of Penance in which an honest confession is met by “God’s merciful words of pardon and peace.”

“Since the Second Vatican Council and the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, the Sacrament of Penance has experienced a decline,” Bishop Walsh pointed out. “We can list many reasons but I don’t think one of them is that we have stopped sinning! I think in our permissive society we have lost the sense of sin.”

He encouraged all his readers, clergy and lay, to return to the sacrament.

“I know there are many people who for many reasons haven’t been to confession for a long time and may not remember how to go, or may not feel comfortable going. Whatever the reason, I invite all to come back home, come back to the Lord.”

In confession, Bishop Walsh said, Jesus asks us what he can do for us. After unburdening our hearts, the bishop said, we will hear Him say “Go in peace, your faith has made you well.”

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Paul
canada 07/17/2009 10:39 AM EST
As a lapsed catholic I once went countless years without confession and rarely set foot in a church. I returned to the church some years ago and now receive reconciliation every 1-2 weeks. Please listen to these words of wisdom from the bishop. We need not have mortal sins to attend, and all we need say if we are struggling for words, is what the tax collector said from the back of the temple, "Lord, forgive me, I am a sinful man." The priest will guide you. Be not afraid! The most powerful force in the universe is the love of God, felt most profoundly through honest reconciliation followed by His Body & Blood in the Eucharist. Turn to Christ and let Him heal you.
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Published by: fatima rico
talisay city, cebu, philipiines 07/17/2009 07:36 AM EST
testifying to this wonderful encouragement by bishop walsh that i certainly agree to it that an absence of confession in one's life for a longer period of time creates hindrance in any relationship we are about to attend most esp with the LORD.

and i know it will always feel different every time i go to confession but what matters is the mercy and peacefulness i will receive i will do such.

so,as i encourage everyone to be brave enough. help yourself in seeing better life with the Lord. in Him alone is our strength.
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Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 07/17/2009 07:19 AM EST
Confession is essential but the subject needs work. People need to know how and what to confess. The also have to know what sin is. They have to understand what the dogmas of Catholic teachings are. Maybe penance should involve referring the penitent to references from the catechism of The Catholic Church. Confession is an education as to what sin is and how to avoid sinning. It is also an education in how to obey God.
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