[Vanders9]

I’n not a theologian either, and I’m proud to be protestant, but I think his assertions that “Mariolatry is the death of the affections; the Confessional is the death of the conscience; the Mass the death of the understanding” are decidedly suspect.

For example - the confessional COULD be the death of conscience, IF people got to thinking it enabled them to do whatever they want on the assumption that going to confession would automatically absolve them - but of course that is not the whole object of confession. In and of itself confession and even absolvement is of no use if the heart remains unrepentant, as I’m sure any of the Catholics on this thread would affirm unreservedly.

[J Edgar]

A repentant heart is an absolute requirement for absolution.
if a sinner fakes repentance, he not only is not absolved of his sins, but he commits a sacrilege as well, thus calling Judgment down upon himself. Every Catholic knows this, and knows that if would be far better not to go to Confession unless he is repentant.