In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Confession – The Inner Life – January 29, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Rob Kroll joins Patrick to discussConfession

  • Why do we need the Sacrament of Confession?
  • What are the parts of confession?
  • (14:05) What if someone hasn’t been in confession in a long time?
  • (19:30) Kevin – I was in confession the other day. At the end, I had a feeling to say thank you Jesus, and the priest said you’re welcome. He’s in persona Christi and sometimes we forget that.

(22:27) Break 1

  • (23:58) Lynn – Not Catholic yet, going through the OCIA program. Through that process, there’s the first confession. Am I supposed to make a list of every sin in my life, or how am I supposed to do that?
  • (32:54) Paul – 40 years as a Baptist, I felt the need to go to confession which lead me to RCIA and into the church. How should non-Catholics feel about confession and approach the sacrament?
  • (37:51) George – I’m having a little trouble with confession. Every day I can’t forgive myself. Am I doing something wrong by doing that?

(43:12) Break 2

  • Barbara – I’m in a parish that had a priest who was moved several years back due to behaviors. I wonder sometimes if the confessions or baptisms were valid because of what was going on with him.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.