Afraid I've committed a mortal sin, and I just went to Confession yesterday!

[TBolt1000T]

First of all, let me say that I have OCD, and I am therefore a scrupulous person. I just went to Confession yesterday…And now this!

I was talking on the phone to a friend, whom I may be going out to dinner with this evening. She was baptized Catholic (I don’t have a clue when), but she left the Church before she could receive any of the other sacraments. She claims to be a Christian now, and even sometimes says she’s Catholic, because she was baptized Catholic.

Here’s where the possible sin comes in. I was telling her that I wouldn’t be eating meat today, because it’s Friday, and it’s Lent. I got the impression that she was thinking that I was trying to force her to also abstain. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I was stupid enough to say to her that basicly, since she hadn’t received Confirmation, that she didn’t have to worry about it. I’m now worried that I’ve committed a mortal sin. I realized that what I said could have been serious just after I said it.

Since she was baptized Catholic, but she left the Church before she could receive the sacraments, have I sinned by telling her that she didn’t have to worry about abstaining? If I have committed a mortal sin in this matter, then I don’t feel like I’m fit for coming into the Church. Will I ever learn?

 

[Lapey]

First of all, let me say that I have OCD, and I am therefore a scrupulous person. I just went to Confession yesterday…And now this!

I was talking on the phone to a friend, whom I may be going out to dinner with this evening. She was baptized Catholic (I don’t have a clue when), but she left the Church before she could receive any of the other sacraments. She claims to be a Christian now, and even sometimes says she’s Catholic, because she was baptized Catholic.

Here’s where the possible sin comes in. I was telling her that I wouldn’t be eating meat today, because it’s Friday, and it’s Lent. I got the impression that she was thinking that I was trying to force her to also abstain. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I was stupid enough to say to her that basicly, since she hadn’t received Confirmation, that she didn’t have to worry about it. I’m now worried that I’ve committed a mortal sin. I realized that what I said could have been serious just after I said it.

Since she was baptized Catholic, but she left the Church before she could receive the sacraments, have I sinned by telling her that she didn’t have to worry about abstaining? If I have committed a mortal sin in this matter, then I don’t feel like I’m fit for coming into the Church. Will I ever learn?

You are both baptised Catholic in the Latin Rite, so you do fall under the requirements of the Code of Canon Law which says we are bound to abstain on Fridays. But there is no culpability if you did this in error, simply call your friend and explain how you made the eror, and that you are learning about this faith we call home, and shouldn’t have given an answer that you were not prepared to answer. Definitely not a mortal sin situation though.

 

[TBolt1000T]

I was actually baptized validly in a Protestant church, and I am scheduled to come into the Catholic Church this Easter, so I don’t know if that makes me still baptized in the Latin rite or not.

This really makes me sad, because now I feel that I have to choose between losing a friend and taking the blame for a mortal sin by not telling her that she is bound to abstain on Fridays during Lent. She was already starting to get a little upset with me when I started to talk about abstanence. Maybe she isn’t worth having as a friend anyway…

 

[smichhertz]

I’d just mention it in passing the next time you are with your friend. It will come off as too heavy handed if you called her up to make a speech about it.

And no, there was not full consent on your end so you are not in mortal sin.

 

[wild_thing]

It was an honest mistake. I wouldn’t beat yourself up over it. You are still a baby Catholic- don’t expect to know everything all at once! I’m a cradle Catholic and I’m still learning things about the Church everyday! I would advise as the other poster said- I wouldn’t call her up and lecture her about it, but next time you see her tell her what you learned and leave it at that.

 

[puzzleannie]

F I realized that what I said could have been serious just after I said it.

S?

don’t even need to read the rest of the story, there is no intent to commit mortal sin, therefore there is no mortal sin.

If you are scrupulous you need to have these discussions with the one trusted priest who is your only confessor, not with third parties.

 

[Lapey]

I was actually baptized validly in a Protestant church, and I am scheduled to come into the Catholic Church this Easter, so I don’t know if that makes me still baptized in the Latin rite or not.

This really makes me sad, because now I feel that I have to choose between losing a friend and taking the blame for a mortal sin by not telling her that she is bound to abstain on Fridays during Lent. She was already starting to get a little upset with me when I started to talk about abstanence. Maybe she isn’t worth having as a friend anyway…

Pretty simple, you are not yet a Latin Rite Catholic or any Catholic rite for that matter? So as for as canon law goes, there is no requirement for you to fast or obstain, and how would you know to tell your friend. No grave matter, no intent, no sin. Now pick up your lip and get on with life…God bless you on your journey, and WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[Joel_PF]

If the person is in (real) doubt as to whether something was a mortal sin, then it wasn’t a mortal sin. Simple as that.

You just said something incorrect.

 

[Barbkw]

Josh,

Did you get a good examination of conscience guide at RCIA? Those help to set your mind at ease. Are you a bit confused about the differences between mortal and venial acts?

This guide has been helpful to me:

catholicparents.org/oxcart/Examination%20of%20Conscience.pdf

Mortal sins & their conditions are detailed on pages 1-4 and venial sin are on pages 4-8.

 

[valentino]

Tbolt1000T: Rest your mind.You didn’t commit a mortal sin.Being ignorant of somethingand giving an opinion may be imprudent.Why didn’t you tell her your true thought after it came to mind?You could have said something like"I don’t know whether you should abstain or not’or since you were baptized Catholic perhaps youshould abstain.Even if you do commit a mortal sin don’t stay away from the Church.God always want to forgive us as long as we are sincere.