Confession

1) I'm sure the priest would talk to them, but I don't think he can offer them absolution? Not sure?

2)I have no idea.

Yes to both, sort of.

Can. 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ's faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in §2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in can. 861 §2.

§2 Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ's faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

§4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other Christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

§5 In respect of the cases dealt with in §2, 3 and 4, the diocesan Bishop or the Episcopal Conference is not to issue general norms except after consultation with the competent authority, at least at the local level, of the non-Catholic Church or community concerned.

I am actually thinking of going to confession once I get back to campus. I'm still praying about it, but I don't think I can receive the sacrament in full - since I'm not Catholic.

Truth and Reconciliation said:

I am actually thinking of going to confession once I get back to campus. I'm still praying about it, but I don't think I can receive the sacrament in full - since I'm not Catholic.

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You can't if you're not Catholic, but I strongly encourage you to go talk to a priest when you get back. He will be able to help you.

The basic answer to #2 is "no" as far as I've ever read anywhere since we do not offer sacraments to those outside the Visible Church. With that said, I have heard of many priests (here in the US and in the motherlands) who will commune Catholics and other such Christians from apostolic backgrounds if the need is of dire urgency (ie the person is on his or her deathbed and cannot get to parish of his or her own persuasion). While I have only heard this in cases of the Eucharist, I would imagine that many (if not all priests) would want a confession if there is time for one and would trust that God will do as He pleases with the absolution part (as this is always case, Orthodox or not). I should make it clear that this is not an official Orthodox Stance and is by NO MEANS the set norm. But there is often room for economia (a bending of the rules for the sake of one's spiritual well-being) and although this is generally extended to Orthodox, Bishops seem to have respected similar decisions by priests in past situations.

but the official answer would be "no".

Hope that helps.

John

DT, you will note that the Catholic answer and the Orthodox answer differ. You would find the same thing if you asked whether an Orthodox person could receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church. Catholics would tell you yes, but an Orthodox person would say that he is not allowed. Both would be correct.

that is correct

Can. 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ's faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in §2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in can. 861 §2.

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This is a bit confusing, I go to confession and I'm not "Catholic" in the sense that I am not yet fully accepted into the Catholic community via confirmation. How would you define "catholic members of Christ's faithful" then? I was told I could go and I believe others went to confession before confirmation as well.

I though confession (and absolution) was allowed for those that had been baptized and were coming into the Church. Otherwise, baptized individuals would be getting confirmed in a state of mortal sin.