Code of Canon Law: text (original) (raw)

CHAPTER III: THE PENITENT

Can.987 In order that the faithful may receive the saving remedy of the sacramentof penance, they must be so disposed that, repudiating the sins they havecommitted and having the purpose of amending their lives, they turn back toGod.

Can.988 §1 The faithful are bound to confess, in kind and in number, all grave sins committed after baptism, of which after careful examination of conscience they are aware, which have not yet been directly pardoned by the keys of the Church, and which have not been confessed in an individual confession.

§2 Thefaithful are recommended to confess also venial sins.

Can.989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfullyto confess their grave sins at least once a year.

Can.990 No one is forbidden to confess through an interpreter, provided however that abuse and scandal are avoided, and without prejudice to the provision of can. 983 §2.

Can.991 All Christ's faithful are free to confess their sins to lawfully approved confessors of their own choice, even to one of another rite.