Can a pro-abortion “catholic” just go to confession before mass and “get right” long enough to take communion, and then go about their baby killing afterward?
I don’t believe they can if they have been ex-communicated.
Is the new Pope a Catholic?
Sadly, Archbishop Chaput has indicated that it is the responsibility of the communicant to stay away from the Communion Rail....
. -- from the thread Will Denver Catholic Archbishop finally enforce Canon 915?
"...there's a question about whether this canon'' – the relevant church law – "was ever intended to be used'' to bring politicians to heel. He thinks not. "I stand with the great majority of American bishops and bishops around the world in saying this canon was never intended to be used this way.'' -- from the thread [Archbishop] Wuerl: Why I Won't Deny Pelosi Communion
Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard says it is "unfair and imprudent" to conclude that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his girlfriend, Sandra Lee, shouldn't receive Communion simply because they're living together. -- from the thread Bishop: None of your business (Hubbard rejects Catholic expert's criticism of Gov. Cuomo)
[Cardinal Timothy Dolan] also does not outright deny the sacrament to dissenting Catholic lawmakers, but he is seen as an outspoken defender of church orthodoxy in a style favored by many theological conservatives.
-- from the thread US bishops elect NYC archbishop as head in upset (Catholic bloggers blamed)
—— Can a pro-abortion “catholic” just go to confession before mass and “get right” long enough to take communion, and then go about their baby killing afterward? ——
The priest may forgive or retain sins. Though the latter is rare, the priest may do so if he discerns impenitence.
Nevertheless, your scenario is possible, but the sacrament would be objectively void, since the penitent would have lied about his contrition. God would not be fooled.
“Can a pro-abortion “catholic” just go to confession before mass and “get right” long enough to take communion, and then go about their baby killing afterward?”
In a practical sense of course they can go through the motions, but they will not (as I understand it) be receiving the Sacrament. Quite the opposite, they will be committing a mortal sin in doing so.
So from a strict Catholic sense, No...
Can a pro-abortion “catholic” just go to confession before mass and “get right” long enough to take communion, and then go about their baby killing afterward?
****
No — not if you want to go back the next Sunday and take communion.
In fact, if you try that little trick, you are guilty of an additional sin called "presumption".
Church already thought of that one.
No, if a confessor is not sincere about the error they made in sin, especially a serious sin, such as abortion it would not count as a valid confession. So, a women just can't go out get an abortion and plan on going to confession to get their sin struck from the record, unless they are truly sorry for their actions, and make amends not to do it again. Of course, there are many cafeteria Catholics that just pick and choose what they want to believe and don't even think twice about the impact that supporting abortion or homosexuality has on their soul. They think these things are ok so confession is not needed for them concerning these matters. Reconciliation, is an ongoing process in the CC, serious Catholics try to make a sincere effort to walk in the light, we stumble, but we continue to try to conquer our sin to get closer to God. Attempting to fool God in reconciliation will not achieve salvation and practicing Catholics know that.