They confess of course.

You'd have to ask the priest in charge of that particular cheuch. Some don't like that.

I'm sure you could go to speak to a Catholic Priest in your area and they would listen to you. However, it would not really be the sacrament of penance if you are not Catholic. Why do you want to go to confession? Are you just curious or are you thinking of converting? The priest might be more easy to talk to if you can answer these questions. You could of course also just go. You would not have to show your papers at the confessional door, though this route is a little dishonest. You just go in and say "Bless me Father, for I have sinned it has been _______days/weeks/years since my last confession." And then confess.

If you mean in a Catholic church then yes. A priest will hear any one's confession but he may not give you absolution if you are not Catholic. He may only advise you as to what to do to get absolution.

I was born and raised Roman Catholic - I haven't been to cofession for a number of years and I'm sure my penance is triple time over due in receipt...I have strayed from Catholicism and have tried other religions. Now I believe in God but not in any organized religion. In my personal opinion, it does one good in heart to be able to talk with, or confess ones sins to another - the safest route being a Priest. Regardless of whether you are Catholic or not, Go to confession - what you will say to the priest is the following upon entering the confessional: Perform the sign of the cross - In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit - Then tell the priest this: Father bless me for I have sinned - it has been x number of years since my last confession. Tell him what weighs heavily upon your heart and he will obsolve you - receive the pennance he gives you and say the prayers from your heart. BELIEVE you will be forgiven and you will - above all - know that it is God the Father who will forgive you...

I think that rather than going to confession, if you want to talk about your sins or you seek some guidance then talk to a priest in your area. I guess that you could go to confession but you cannot receive absolution unless you are Catholic and falsely representing yourself as Catholic would definitely not please God. My prayers go with you. Peace to all.

No, a non-catholic may not confess and receive absolution. But pray about becoming Catholic; it is the most wonderful thing in the world to hear the words of the priest, "I absolve you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen". Pray to become Catholic if you have such strong desire. Until then learn the Act of Contrition and say it meaningfully or even an Our Father. Both of those will take away venial sin if said heartfelt or a good old I am sorry to God is good if nothing else. It is not our words but lifting our heart to God, our creator, that matters. It is best to be Catholic but if you are not yet at that place where you can convert, remember our intention is what matters. Don't get hung up on the rest!

Anyone can go and confess in a catholic church - the priest won't ask you if you're catholic or not. Unless it's a really strict church......

The Catholic Church teaches that if one is truly sorry for their mortal/venial sins and has 'perfect contrition' that it is possible to receive forgiveness even without the sacrament of penance. This means that one must be truly, deeply sorry for offending God. This reality does not replace the sacrament but is a reasonable alternative in a dire circumstance. If you are Catholic, you must seek out the sacrament to ensure the cure.

I suppose a non-catholic can go to confession. However, without understanding the process I doubt they would get as much out of it. First a priest blesses you to help you make a good confession. Next you say a prayer which the priest will help you with. Next he will help you remember your sins and make an act of contrition. (another prayer) or possibly an act or deed the priest asks you to perform to help you either make ammends for your sins or to teach you that service to others is a burden that is a gift from God and an act of giving to others and denial f yourself brings greater appreciation for the blessings God has given you. After you agree to the act of contrition the priest absolves you of your sins and asks you to depart in peace and to sin no more.

They say, "Sorry mate, I f*cked up."

Should ANYONE go to confessions, Catholic or otherwise? Catholics are Christians and Christian practices should surely be modelled on Christ. He taught people to pray for forgiveness direct to God, saying "When ye pray, say, 'Our Father which art in heaven...forgive us our sins..'" (Luke 11) because "who can forgive sins except God" HQ 3:135. If one has wronged an individual or a community then one ought first to put that right before turning to God for forgiveness.

Unfortunately non-Catholics may not receive legitimately receive any Catholic Sacraments except under extreme circumstances like danger of death. Prior to receiving Confirmation and Eucharist in the process of coming into full communion with the Catholic Church, baptized persons do receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Non-baptized persons joining the Catholic Church usually receive Reconciliation for the first time one or two months after Baptism. However a non-Catholic may talk to a priest about any issue in their life without receiving absolution. With love in Christ.

Most certainly YES! How do you think someone in the RCIA program who wants to become Catholic has their sins forgiven before confirmation? I was told I had to go to confession as part of my entrance into the Catholic Church and that any Catholic Priest would do it. The Priest I went to questioned me on my older appearance (41) and the fact I said it was my 1st confession. I explained to him I was converting and that was good enough for him. Many folks "grow-up" in a Catholic environment, go to church and were never officially Catholic. Mother Church will give the grace of forgiveness to all who ask and are sincere; anyone who is 'rejected' of the sacrament was rejected by a Priest who individually decided not to. Besides, if you accept the sacrament of reconciliation, why not convert and receive all the fullness and grace that the Holy Catholic Church offers - After all, it was the ONLY church most Christians knew for 1500 years, and it was the reformation folks who decided they wanted to strip all ‘Roman-ish or Pope-ish” rites and sacraments. Oddly enough, the Lutheran church has the sacrament officially on its ‘books’, though not widely known or practiced. Pray to God for forgiveness, if you still feel guilty, then seek confession and feel what the power of absolution does! (It’s God who still forgives – not the Priest) Read the Bible references for yourself: http://www.scripturecatholic.com/confession.html