What Is Considered A Good Confession?

[Howie]

If you confess something in confession do you have to be specific about the sin in order for it to be truly absolved? For example, if you are too embarased of the sin and just tell the priest the type of sin it was and not exactly what it is that took place and the priest does not pry is the confession still good? If this is not clear enough I will try and clarify it later.

[cappie]

These canons are relevant to your question

Can. 960 Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the sole ordinary means by which a member of the faithful who is conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. Physical or moral impossibility alone excuses from such confession, in which case reconciliation may be attained by other means also

Can. 987 In order that the faithful may receive the saving remedy of the sacrament of penance, they must be so disposed that, repudiating the sins they have committed and having the purpose of amending their lives, they turn back to God.

Can. 988 §1 The faithful are bound to confess, in kind and in number, all grave sins committed after baptism, of which after careful examination of conscience they are aware, which have not yet been directly pardoned by the keys of the Church, and which have not been confessed in an individual confession.

§2 The faithful are recommended to confess also venial sins.

Can. 989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.


Having regard for the above and from my experience I would judge if it was opportune to question the person so as to help them. We were taught that we should ask questions only if truly necessary and in such a way that would help the person, as that person probably summoned up all the courage they had just to come to confession. But this is a pastoral judgement and does not effect the validility of the confession