I feel sorry for them because that is also the complete opposite of what the Church teaches. In fact, it sounds like they are victims of the Pelagian heresy.
From the Catechism:
1989 The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus' proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."38 Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high. "Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.39
1990 Justification detaches man from sin which contradicts the love of God, and purifies his heart of sin. Justification follows upon God's merciful initiative of offering forgiveness. It reconciles man with God. It frees from the enslavement to sin, and it heals.
1991 Justification is at the same time the acceptance of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness (or "justice") here means the rectitude of divine love. With justification, faith, hope, and charity are poured into our hearts, and obedience to the divine will is granted us.
1992 Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life:40
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.411996 Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.46
Well, I find that interesting, you catholic defenders always do the same, ‘The church doesn’t teach that’ yet 90% of the catholic church will give that same answer, I know, I ask, so whatever, I’m sure if you stand that with your little quote there God will just say, awe shucks, come on in even though you never trusted in my death on the cross. I’m done with you, I know the truth, what I said is true, catholics almost universally give that answer. Bye.
Scythian is correct. I was raised Catholic, have priests and nuns in my family, and that is the exact same experience I've had.
The Catholic church teaches it and misinterprets Scripture to justify it.
Protestant interpretation...
Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Catholic Bible (Douay-Rheims) with footnote.
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. 2 And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 3:8 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Matthew 3:8 (D-R Bible) 8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
http://biblos.com/matthew/3-2.htm
The Greek word in both those verses which the Catholic Bible translates as *penance* is *repent*: μετανοεῖτε metanoeite 3340 V-PAM-2P "repent you"
And this is only one example. Penance is basing your salvation on works. There is no need for penance. The punishment for our sin was taken by Christ on the cross. There is no need for any more.