[wolfcreek]

From what I learned from Catholic friends (and from a couple of visits to a Catholic church), be truly sorry for your sins and promise (God) not to repeat the sins. (be sure and confess all of your sins).

I may have started some trouble with my first post on this thread but, after reading that 47% of Catholics think abortion is OK, I felt the need to elaborate on the subject.

Maybe I should just except the facts and move on?

[johniegrad]

What I was hoping to clarify was that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a serious matter. That true repentence requires a thorough examination of one's conscience, a real desire not to offend again, and contrition. Your original post pointed out a skepticism about that process and I must admit there is reason to be skeptical from the standpoint of how seriously some Catholics take it. However, there is no reason for skepticism on the basis of the Church's teaching which is built on a solid foundation.

I agree with you about individual conviction but need to point out that the sincerity of one's reconciliation ultimately is a matter between the penitant and God. In other words, the Catholics you have pointed out in your first post will ultimately face Divine Justice and that an insincere Reconciliation will not prevent that.

Hope that helps.

[Running On Empty]

You can “except” them if you choose-—but I don’t think you have to ACCEPT them’’YOU know what Mark Twain always said: “There’s lies, and damned lies—and then there’s statistics”.

I have a serious credulity problem believing that 47% of Catholics think abortion is OK.

Let me repeat—if they think abortion is OK, they have set themselves apart from the Church. They are CINOs, which means they aren’t any credit to the Church, nor are they responsible witnesses for the Church.