Why does the Church decide the need for Reconciliation?

Answer 1

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Catholic AnswerA couple of reasons occur immediately. One is that fact that this is the way God set it up for us to have our sins forgiven and to receive His Grace to deal with future temptations. Another is that it is a Commandment of the Church, and the Church, as the Mystical Body of Christ, commands with His Voice. Once we have attain to the age of discretion (usually around 7 years of age) we are bound by an obligation to faithfully confess serious sins at least once a year. Of course this is a little like telling you to change your underwear ever year - whether they need it or not. Of course we need to do it more frequently. The very next commandment of the Church tells us that we must receive Holy Communion at least once a year also. How many Catholics do you know who only go to Holy Communion once a year? You may never receive Holy Communion unless if you have been to confession if you have serious sin on your soul.

Answer 2

Catholic AnswerAlso known as the Sacrament of Confession or the Sacrament of Penance, this sacrament was given to us by Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, as the sacrament in which we can regain our baptismal innocence and regain (if lost) sanctifying grace and have our post-baptismal sins forgiven. It is one of the seven sacrament through which Our Blessed Lord gives us the grace that we need to be judged worthy when we stand before Him at the end of our lives. Further, the second precept of the Church commands penance at least once a year ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year.") although once a year is far too infrequent for anyone who truly loves God and is trying to lead a good life in Christ.

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from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1441 Only God forgives sins. (Cf. Mk 2:7) Since He is the Son of God, Jesus says of Himself, "The son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" and exercises this divine power: "Your sins are forgiven." (Mk 2:5, 10; Lk7:48) Further, by virtue of His divine authority He gives this power to men to exercise in His name. (Cf. Jn 20:21-23)

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1442 Christ has willed that in her prayer and life and action His whole Church should be the sign and instrument of the forgiveness and reconciliation that He acquired for us at the price of His blood. But He entrusted the exercise of the power of absolution to the apostolic ministry which He charged with the "ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor 5:18) The apostle is sent out "on behalf of Christ" with "God making His appeal" through him and pleading: "Be reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:20)

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1446 Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of His Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as "the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace. (Tertullian, De Pænit. 4, 2: J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Latina {Paris: 1841-1855} 1, 1343; cf. Council of Trent {1547}: Denzinger-Schönmetzer, Enchiridion Symbolorum, definitionum de rebus fidei et morum (1965) 1542)

Answer 3

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Catholic AnswerCatholics have reconciliation because God gave it to us as a sacrament to give us grace and to forgive our sins. This is the normal way in which God has chosen to forgive sins, and so we are profoundly grateful to Our Blessed Savior for His mercy to us.

Answer 4

God requires reconcilation.