Question About Confession That's Probably Been Asked Before

[Ice_nine]

If you have done things in the past that you didn't realize were sins, perhaps ones of a grave nature, whether through ignorance or being a stupid delusional human, but now realize said things were kinda or very messed up, are you compelled to confess these things? Or have you received absolution for those sins and can just forget about them. I'm hoping it's the latter

And I'm asking for a friend btw, not myself

[Theoketos]

Yes. It is necessary to confess all mortal sins in kind and number.

Please emphasize

Christ is merciful, do not worry about what will happen to you in the confessional when you confess these sins.

I often recall sins from my past which were mortal, though I did not consider them sins at the time thanks to poor catechesis. (God have mercy on my for the heresies that I spread.) The confessors I have gone to have always handled it like Christ would.

Considering how bad we can imagine this to be, it is always the exact opposite of our fears and is 400 times better.