What If My Confessor Says It Isn't A Mortal Sin?

[i<3LSOP]

Hai All!

 

   So I've been struggling with some sins/problems lately, which I found out were considered to be mortal sins. I went to Confession last Saturday, and explained to my Confessor (who I meet with every other week and who knows me well, too well!!!) and he said he though I was not in the state of mortal sin for a few different reasons. I committed one of the sins again, so 1.) because he believes I wasn't in the state of mortal sin is it not a mortal sin? 2.) do ya think I can receive communion tomorrow? 

 

Oh. And I know that God is the only true judge of what is mortal and venial but I was just curious about all this!! 

 

Thanks All and God Bless! 

 

 

[arfink]

I don't want or need you to divulge the details, but if your confessor tells you that you've not got the prerequisites for a mortal sin that he probably knows what he's talking about. For those confused, it is possible to commit an act of grave matter without having committed a mortal sin in instances where you did not have full use of your will (which can happen through habituation, addiction, or simple ignorance) or through other circumstances that would generally vary by what kind of sin we're talking about. That said, it is generally understood that only your confessor (or possibly a spiritual director) can legitimately release you in this way. If you have more questions you should definitely ask him about it.

[i<3LSOP]

I don't want or need you to divulge the details, but if your confessor tells you that you've not got the prerequisites for a mortal sin that he probably knows what he's talking about. For those confused, it is possible to commit an act of grave matter without having committed a mortal sin in instances where you did not have full use of your will (which can happen through habituation, addiction, or simple ignorance) or through other circumstances that would generally vary by what kind of sin we're talking about. That said, it is generally understood that only your confessor (or possibly a spiritual director) can legitimately release you in this way. If you have more questions you should definitely ask him about it.

Thank you SO much. 

[OnlySunshine]

Hai All!

 

   So I've been struggling with some sins/problems lately, which I found out were considered to be mortal sins. I went to Confession last Saturday, and explained to my Confessor (who I meet with every other week and who knows me well, too well!!!) and he said he though I was not in the state of mortal sin for a few different reasons. I committed one of the sins again, so 1.) because he believes I wasn't in the state of mortal sin is it not a mortal sin? 2.) do ya think I can receive communion tomorrow? 

 

Oh. And I know that God is the only true judge of what is mortal and venial but I was just curious about all this!! 

 

Thanks All and God Bless! 

 

I agree with what arfink said but, to answer your second question, I think you need to get to Confession before receiving the Eucharist.  It's just good practice to go if you believe you have committed a mortal sin.  The problem with receiving tomorrow is that you may not have the same requisites that preclude your sins from being mortal, if that makes any sense.  You don't want to commit the sin of sacrilege if you receive while not in the state of grace.  Hope this helps!  :)
 

BTW, if you are unable to confess before Mass, you should abstain from reception of the Eucharist.  Ask your priest if he can set up a time for you two to meet.

Edited March 29, 2014 by MaterMisericordiae

[mortify ii]

I disagree with my friends here, I don't think addiction renders grave matter non mortal, since habitual sin does not obliterate the will. There is always a choice in our actions, and a battle fought at the height of temptation, it may be that a person's will is weak v but still free non the less.

I would also urge more caution, the state of Catholicism in our present time is unfortunately rather bleak. There is much intentional ignorance and confusion being spread and every Christian has to put great effort in personal study and devotion. I've heard blatant heresy spoken from a priest in a confessional. If something said sparked your sensus fidelium do some research into it. Ultimately follow your conscience in the matter and serve God sincerely.

[arfink]

I disagree with my friends here, I don't think addiction renders grave matter non mortal, since habitual sin does not obliterate the will. There is always a choice in our actions, and a battle fought at the height of temptation, it may be that a person's will is weak v but still free non the less.

I would also urge more caution, the state of Catholicism in our present time is unfortunately rather bleak. There is much intentional ignorance and confusion being spread and every Christian has to put great effort in personal study and devotion. I've heard blatant heresy spoken from a priest in a confessional. If something said sparked your sensus fidelium do some research into it. Ultimately follow your conscience in the matter and serve God sincerely.

 

If it's good enough for all the priests and bishops I have ever known, it's good enough for me. I have no reason to distrust them, and just because the Church's current state is "bleak" doesn't give me any additional reason to do so.

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

It is good to remember as well that just because a sin isn't mortal does not make it non sinful. Grave matter, total consent, and full knowledge are the three requirements for a mortal sin, if one is inhibited then it is still a sin, just not necessarily a moral sin in that case. Note this is motivated by Mortify's response not the OP.

[arfink]

It is good to remember as well that just because a sin isn't mortal does not make it non sinful. Grave matter, total consent, and full knowledge are the three requirements for a mortal sin, if one is inhibited then it is still a sin, just not necessarily a moral sin in that case. Note this is motivated by Mortify's response not the OP.

 

Correct, thank you for the clarification.

 

I should also point out that if you have a habituated/addicted pattern to a sin of grave matter, it then also obligates you under penalty of sin to work on overcoming that pattern, otherwise it negates your intent to "go and sin no more" when you confess.

[mortify ii]

It is good to remember as well that just because a sin isn't mortal does not make it non sinful. Grave matter, total consent, and full knowledge are the three requirements for a mortal sin, if one is inhibited then it is still a sin, just not necessarily a moral sin in that case. Note this is motivated by Mortify's response not the OP.

I don't disagree, it's just that some people have a loose interpretation of "consent". Temptation for example, does not deprive us of free will. I think there is a tendency to confuse weakness with a lack of freedom. Doing so leads us to a dangerous area. If someone admitted to being addicted to pornography and self abuse, something which has reached epidemic proportions in our society, I would not advise them it's ok to receive communion because of their free will supposedly not being existent during the act. The will remains free despite weakness on part of the soul.

[havok579257]

I disagree with my friends here, I don't think addiction renders grave matter non mortal, since habitual sin does not obliterate the will. There is always a choice in our actions, and a battle fought at the height of temptation, it may be that a person's will is weak v but still free non the less.

I would also urge more caution, the state of Catholicism in our present time is unfortunately rather bleak. There is much intentional ignorance and confusion being spread and every Christian has to put great effort in personal study and devotion. I've heard blatant heresy spoken from a priest in a confessional. If something said sparked your sensus fidelium do some research into it. Ultimately follow your conscience in the matter and serve God sincerely.

 

 

 

the church disagrees with you.  

 

also your giving bad advice to tell someone to disregard their confessor.  your could easily be leading someone to become scrupulous.  scrupulosity it a horrible thing to have.  i know personally.  having people doubt their confessor will cause people to develop scrupulosity.  also its called humility.  be humble and do not assume you know more than your confessor.  be humble and not scrupulous.  

[havok579257]

I don't disagree, it's just that some people have a loose interpretation of "consent". Temptation for example, does not deprive us of free will. I think there is a tendency to confuse weakness with a lack of freedom. Doing so leads us to a dangerous area. If someone admitted to being addicted to pornography and self abuse, something which has reached epidemic proportions in our society, I would not advise them it's ok to receive communion because of their free will supposedly not being existent during the act. The will remains free despite weakness on part of the soul.

 

 

its up to the priest to determine if the person commited a mortal sin or if due to addiction full consent was not there and thus the sin is serious but not mortal.  priest have been trained for this.

[arfink]

I hate to derail this, but Mortify, you obviously do not understand the nature of addiction and how it does in fact erode your ability to make free choices.

[mortify ii]

the church disagrees with you.

also your giving bad advice to tell someone to disregard their confessor. your could easily be leading someone to become scrupulous. scrupulosity it a horrible thing to have. i know personally. having people doubt their confessor will cause people to develop scrupulosity. also its called humility. be humble and do not assume you know more than your confessor. be humble and not scrupulous.

The Church teaches we are bound to follow our conscience sincerely, and that is all I recommended. I suggest caution in blind obedience because I have personally received advise in stark contradiction to Catholic teaching. Even as new convert to the Faith I knew the advise was not part of the Faith.

[mortify ii]

its up to the priest to determine if the person commited a mortal sin or if due to addiction full consent was not there and thus the sin is serious but not mortal. priest have been trained for this.

And some have been poorly trained. I would not follow the dictates of an incompetant doctor despite their title. We can't remain passive and blindly follow, especially not in these times. We need to study our faith and listen to our Lord in the depths of our hearts.

[mortify ii]

I hate to derail this, but Mortify, you obviously do not understand the nature of addiction and how it does in fact erode your ability to make free choices.

You are very mistaken, I know this personally, I just never excused my responsibility in my sins.