Accidental Sin?

[Vbwc]

To make a long story short, I had made a promise to God concerning something in my life, and I accidentally broke it the other day. I did not have full knowledge of the issue at the time, and only started thinking of it afterwards, and only received verification today. Does that make it a venial sin or not a sin at all? I know it can’t be mortal because full knowledge wasn’t there.

 

[CRV]

This is something you should ask your priest/spiritual director as you can offer him a deeper explanation which will allow him to advise you as to whether you have sinned or not.

I once did something unthinkingly, that is I was aware of the action itself (not half asleep etc), but at that time didn’t realise the import of what I was actually doing. The advice I was given was that you can’t sin accidentally. When it’s something that is really bothering me I will mention it in confession or speak to my priest about it and then if necessary take it to confession with him.

Everyones circumstances and the context and nuances it occured in are unique and so your priest is the best person to advise you on this.

Perhaps you could briefly mention it in confession and add that you are not sure if you have sinned, but if you have then you accept any guilt that is yours.

 

[s.cono]

So you say you did not have full knowledge at the time. One cannot accidentally sin. If it is a venial sin or not a sin at all do not stress over it. It will come clean in your next communion.

 

[Irishmom2]

To make a long story short, I had made a promise to God concerning something in my life, and I accidentally broke it the other day. I did not have full knowledge of the issue at the time, and only started thinking of it afterwards, and only received verification today.

I don’t understand what you are trying to say.

Are you saying you did not know that the thing you promised to God was a sin since you say you did not have full knowledge of the issue? It makes me wonder why you would make a promise to God and then claim you accidentally broke the promise.

 

[TrueRomanCatholic]

I agree with @Irishmom2! This sounds highly suspicious and suspect and I remain dubious…

Regardless, if a consequence of an action, violated a promise you made to God, I suppose it depends on what the promise was, and how directly this action was related to the consequence…

 

[poche]

If you made a mistake try to learn from that mistake and try to do better in the future.

 

[Hoosier-Daddy]

How did you accidentally break a promise?

 

[Bluebright]

I don’t agree that you can’t accidently sin as someone else said… people do this all the time, swear by mistake, lie by mistake anyway you get the picture. I’d apologise to God right now and ask him to show you your faults and give you a contrite heart. He knows your heart, motives and reasonings better than we or you so he is best suited for this. It may be that he has something he wishes from you or to tell you and wants you to listen. I find whenever my conscience is troubled it’s because I have done the wrong thing or because I am not listening. Then as someone said you could mention in confession next time you go that you aren’t sure if it’s a sin but… and tell the priest. Often this may prompt the advice or what God is wanting you to know if you haven’t heard it by then, as the priest is in the person of Christ. God bless you

 

[Zynxensar]

It’s possible. Someone makes a promise to God not to drink coke. Then, on Thursday, out of habit, the person buys and drinks a can of coke because the person, in that moment, forgot the promise made.

OP in answer to your question, if you genuinely forgot in that moment, then I don’t think there’s any sin at all. Talk to your Priest about this.