Dr. House and confession

[Guest]

I don't usually watch Dr. House (the cases are factually wrong, and no doctor like Dr. House could ever hold a job seeing patients). Nevertheless, I did see the show this week, and it showed one of the doctors, who, apparently on a prior episode, killed a patient (supposedly an evil one). The doctor went to confession and asked the priest for absolution, but the priest said he couldn't be absolved unless he turned himself in to the police. Not knowing much about Catholic ways, I'm wondering what a Catholic's recourses are, if any, if a priest refuses to absolve him. Will he be absolved if he goes to another priest who absolves him, or does the first priest's pronouncement take precedence? Or can he go to a bishop to "override" the priest? I also remember going to Rome, and being told one can be absolved of all one's sins (once in a lifetime) by going up this series of stairs on one's knees. Would that work, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?

[+ purplekow]

The priest has to feel that there is sincere remorse and can ask for penance. In this case, turn yourself in for killing the evil dictator as played by James Earl Jones. Would have been funny had they just had the doctor in the confessional with the screen and the priest's voice was James Earl Jones'. As with almost everything in the Catholic Church, they thicker the wallet you can climb on, the further up you can go. Ted Kennedy was absolved by the Pope himself prior to his death. Whether that was requests because of his antiabortion stand or perhaps another major sin, only Ted and the Pope know for sure. Usually climbing up stairs on ones knees is related to special requests. I know if I saw a nice catholic boy on his knees I would be happy to satisfy his special request.

[Guest zipperzone]

I also remember going to Rome, and being told one can be absolved of all one's sins (once in a lifetime) by going up this series of stairs on one's knees. Would that work, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?

 

I don't think going up the stairs on one's knees is nearly as effective as a big fat cheque.

Probably a big fat bundle of cold hard untraceable cash is even more welcome. Call me jaded........

[+ Lucky]

Forgiveness is mine, saith the Lord.

[MsGuy]

Romans 12:17

 

17 jRepay no one evil for evil, but kgive thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, llive peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, mnever avenge yourselves, but leave it9 to the wrath of God, for it is written, n“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, o“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

[KMEM]

I don't usually watch Dr. House (the cases are factually wrong, and no doctor like Dr. House could ever hold a job seeing patients). QUOTE

 

 

The reasoning quoted above is why I don't watch most aviation movies. Even with "expert" help they get a lot wrong. If it otherwise is a good story line I can sometimes console myself with the thought of "poetic license" but not very often.

 

The Airport series is a good example. The early movies had decent story lines but many technical (aviation) errors. The later movies became too silly to contemplate.

 

Airplane, however, is a good example of good expert help. Virtually every aviation reference was "totally" wrong; in some ways just as difficult to do as get every thing correct.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[gp0560]

Airplane skills correctness

 

[silliness] Hey, KMEM, how about the old TV series "Wings"? [/silliness]

[Guest]

I guess I didn't phrase my question clearly enough... What I'm curious about is if one priest says you have to do X to be absolved, can one go to another priest in order to search for an easier way to be absolved? Or does one have to go to a bishop? Or does it matter? Yes, I understand that the Bible says otherwise, but I'm just trying to understand Catholic doctrine.

[+ Lucky]

My opinion is that if you go to the first priest, you are stuck with what he decides. Thereafter, you would be further sinning by avoiding the punishment he gave. BUT, if he says you cannot confess without doing something else first, then you have not yet made a confession and can go to another priest.

[KMEM]

[silliness] Hey, KMEM, how about the old TV series "Wings"? [/silliness]

 

As I recall, most of the silliness on that program involved the ridiculous interaction among the characters. They did use a "real" Cessna 402. It seemed to be doing fairly normal things.

 

Best regards,

KMEM