Regarding your query,
please note the following...
* I don't see how you could be absolutely certain that
someone has "perfect contrition", as this relates to an interior disposition.
Also, as the Catechism of the Council of Trent states...
"Contrition, it
is true, blots out sin; but who does not know that to effect this it must be so
intense, so ardent, so vehement, as to bear a proportion to the magnitude of the
crimes which it effaces? This is a degree of contrition which few reach; and
hence, in this way, very few indeed could hope to obtain the pardon of their
sins (through contrition alone)."
* Even if someone who committed a mortal sin has 'perfect
contrition', they would still need to have a sacramental Confession if it was
possible to do so...
"Perfect
contrition will obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance
when we cannot go to confession, but with the perfect contrition we must have
the intention of going to confession as soon as possible, if we again have the
opportunity." (Baltimore Catechism)
"Perfect sorrow
does not obtain us pardon of our sins independently of confession, because it
always includes the intention to confess them." (Catechism of St. Pius X)
"The Council
teaches, furthermore, that though it sometimes happens that this contrition is
perfect because of charity and reconciles man to God, before this sacrament [of
Penance] is actually received, this reconciliation nevertheless must not be
ascribed to the contrition itself without the desire of the sacrament which is
included in it." (Council of Trent, 1551 A.D.)
In fact, we should always desire to have perfect
contrition, even when going to Confession...
"Imperfect
contrition is sufficient for a worthy [sacramental] confession, but we should
endeavor to have perfect contrition." (Baltimore Catechism)
* A lay sponsor can NOT forgive a person's sins
– only priests have the authority &
power to do that.
* One is NOT forgiven for one's sins (or "healed") because
they "realized what they did in front of God". One is forgiven in Confession via
the power of the priesthood (see Jn. 20:21-23), assuming the person is truly
sorry & properly disposed. It is true that forgiveness can also be achieved via
perfect contrition, but again the Catechism of the Council of Trent indicates
that "very few" can hope to obtain pardon through contrition alone, and a
sacramental Confession would still be required, if it was possible.
For more information
on confession, please try
here.
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