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

[PhuturePriest]

This is getting confusing. To try and answer your questions, here you go: 

 

1.) LAST SATURDAY I confessed like, three mortal sins, two being related to physcological probs. ONE was not and that is the one I COMMITTED THIS WEEK. 

 

2.) Even with the sin not related to the physcological probs. my confessor/sd LAST WEEK didn't think I was in the state of mortal sin though he said he thought it was "a good idea I came to confession early." 

 

3.) TODAY I talked to him like a usually do, but I didn't mention confession because we got talking and I forgot. 

 

4.) I know what it is to be scrupulous, and I'm not. I can be once in a while, but in this case I don't know if he's wrong about the mortal so thing, and that concerns me because pretty much everyone knows it's a mortal sin!! 

 

5.) At this point I might just catch him after Mass tomorrow. I'm just nervous to, because I don't want him to think my probs. are kicking in when I have been doing SO SO well. He gets concerned about me sometimes and I feel like this might REALLY concern him because we usually agree on everything: 

 

6.) *sigh* 

 

Can you message me? I tried to message you, but it wouldn't let me.

[AnneLine]

I also think that it is unlikely you would commit a mortal sin without fully intending to do that.

 

And definitely habituation and simlar issues reduce culpability... which makes it less likely.

 

Which is NOT saying that it is fine to do this -- not at all.   But we all are sinners... and God looks at our intent.

 

But... why not run it by the Church Scholars?   That is why we have that board set up....

Edited March 30, 2014 by AnneLine

[Jaime]

This is getting confusing. To try and answer your questions, here you go: 

 

1.) LAST SATURDAY I confessed like, three mortal sins, two being related to physcological probs. ONE was not and that is the one I COMMITTED THIS WEEK. 

 

2.) Even with the sin not related to the physcological probs. my confessor/sd LAST WEEK didn't think I was in the state of mortal sin though he said he thought it was "a good idea I came to confession early." 

 

3.) TODAY I talked to him like a usually do, but I didn't mention confession because we got talking and I forgot. 

 

4.) I know what it is to be scrupulous, and I'm not. I can be once in a while, but in this case I don't know if he's wrong about the mortal so thing, and that concerns me because pretty much everyone knows it's a mortal sin!! 

 

5.) At this point I might just catch him after Mass tomorrow. I'm just nervous to, because I don't want him to think my probs. are kicking in when I have been doing SO SO well. He gets concerned about me sometimes and I feel like this might REALLY concern him because we usually agree on everything: 

 

6.) *sigh* 

 

I hope you read this with a deep breath. 

 

You're doing fine

 

Let me repeat that

 

You're doing fine!

 

The Church is not going to let you down in this matter.  You're taking the care of your soul seriously!  You should be commended.  But things like "Everybody pretty much knows it's a mortal sin" is going to bite you in the hiney! 

 

When you are in confession, the priest is in there as persona Christi.  That doesn't mean that he's being Christ like, he is there acting (through mystery) as Christ. He doesn't do it all the time.  He doesn't spend all day in persona Christi.  But during two very important sacraments, that's who he is. This is one of them

 

So does that mean you can't get bad advice in confession?  No. You can.  But if a priest tells you something  is not a mortal sin in confession, you can and should take it as if Jesus is telling you that himself.  Christ isn't looking to trip us up.  He's not out to get us.  He's looking out for us.  And those who have been (through sacraments) been given Holy Orders do more than represent him. 

 

So let's take an extreme example.

 

Let's say I go to confession and I'm overwhelmed with guilt because I've stolen 10 million dollars from orphans.  The priest that I see is older and has a touch of dementia.  He tells me in a weak moment that what I did isn't so bad, and probably isn't a mortal sin.  Is he wrong?  Sure. Does it matter? Nope.  You going to confession is what matters.  Him being in Persona Christi is what matters.  You being contrite and sorry is what really matters.  You walk out absolved. 

 

Now in the case of sins that are repetitive.  Whether you like it or not, the priest is very likely right that you aren't fulfilling all the criteria of mortal sin.  Is it still a sin of grave matter? Yes that doesn't change.  But What is important is that you are trying to better your life. 

 

So you're doing fine.

 

Don't deny the Eucharist if a priest is telling you you can receive. 
 

[i<3LSOP]

I hope you read this with a deep breath. 

 

You're doing fine

 

Let me repeat that

 

You're doing fine!

 

The Church is not going to let you down in this matter.  You're taking the care of your soul seriously!  You should be commended.  But things like "Everybody pretty much knows it's a mortal sin" is going to bite you in the hiney! 

 

When you are in confession, the priest is in there as persona Christi.  That doesn't mean that he's being Christ like, he is there acting (through mystery) as Christ. He doesn't do it all the time.  He doesn't spend all day in persona Christi.  But during two very important sacraments, that's who he is. This is one of them

 

So does that mean you can't get bad advice in confession?  No. You can.  But if a priest tells you something  is not a mortal sin in confession, you can and should take it as if Jesus is telling you that himself.  Christ isn't looking to trip us up.  He's not out to get us.  He's looking out for us.  And those who have been (through sacraments) been given Holy Orders do more than represent him. 

 

So let's take an extreme example.

 

Let's say I go to confession and I'm overwhelmed with guilt because I've stolen 10 million dollars from orphans.  The priest that I see is older and has a touch of dementia.  He tells me in a weak moment that what I did isn't so bad, and probably isn't a mortal sin.  Is he wrong?  Sure. Does it matter? Nope.  You going to confession is what matters.  Him being in Persona Christi is what matters.  You being contrite and sorry is what really matters.  You walk out absolved. 

 

Now in the case of sins that are repetitive.  Whether you like it or not, the priest is very likely right that you aren't fulfilling all the criteria of mortal sin.  Is it still a sin of grave matter? Yes that doesn't change.  But What is important is that you are trying to better your life. 

 

So you're doing fine.

 

Don't deny the Eucharist if a priest is telling you you can receive. 
 

Thanks so much for such a good answer. I really appreciate it. 

[Jaime]

Thanks so much for such a good answer. I really appreciate it. 

 

Thanks bud!

[Ash Wednesday]

And don't forget to floss!