Must a Catholic go to confession once a year if he hasn't committed a mortal sin?
The short answer
No. Church law requires confession of grave sins at least once a year; someone with no mortal sins is not obliged to go. Still, the Church recommends confessing venial sins too.
The law
After reaching the age of discretion, each of the faithful must confess grave sins faithfully at least once a year (CIC 989). A person who has committed no mortal sins is not obliged to go.
Recommended
Canon law also recommends that the faithful confess venial sins (CIC 988).
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