MERELY 51 percent of Filipino Catholics are able fulfill their spiritual obligation of going to confession at least once a year, according to the Veritas Truth Survey (VTS) conducted by Radyo Veritas, a radio station owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Manila.
The survey was conducted nationwide from January 1 to February 9 using a stratified random sample of 1,200 respondents nationwide. The responses were gathered through a text-based and online data gathering process from a database of previous face-to-face interviews. The survey has a +/- 3 percent margin of error.
“Only about 5 out of 10 Filipinos, after having reached the age of discretion, have fulfilled his/her obligation to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year, pursuant to Canon Law 989,” said VTS.
The survey also showed that about 17 percent said they are not able to fulfil their spiritual obligation, while 32 percent said “sometimes.”
Under the Canon Law, “after having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.”
Confession is a religious sacrament, wherein one seeks forgiveness for offenses against God and against their sisters and brothers.
In a phone interview, VTS head Bro. Clifford Sorita said they are not totally surprised by the results of the survey but were disheartened by it.
“I was hopeful that it won’t be low since we are a predominantly Catholic country, and faith is strong in the fabric of Philippine society,” said Sorita.
He said the low number of those going to confession could be attributed to the emotional difficulty of admitting one’s sins.
“When Catholics come to confession, they are making themselves extremely vulnerable. Vulnerability is a human thing. It is a good and beautiful thing, but not necessarily easy,” he said.
Sorita also said the low number makes it imperative for more Catholics to be educated on the value of confession.
“This is why constant catechetical instruction is needed to help inform and educate Catholics on value this sacrament,” said Sorita.
