Are addictions considered mortal sins?

[GRATEFULONEjim]

I’ve been going to confession regularly and have had to confess the same sins repeatedly. I always go to the same priest and confess face to face. He maintains the idea that these sins are habitual and addictive and don’t necessarily need to be confessed. I have made great headway as to the frequency at which the sins occur, but have not been able to rid myself completely. Can I forgo confessing these sins or do I need to keep confessing them?

 

[johnnykins]

Listen to your confessor - he’s there to help. Remember to be a mortal sin, 3 things are needed:

1. The sin must be objectively a mortal sin, i.e., a grave matter. Catholics use “Mortal Sin” as a short hand for a “grave matter.” (Often I think it would be better to not do so…) Whether it is indeed a mortal sin, still requires 2 more things - see below. ALL actual mortal sins must SUBJECTIVELY be a mortal sin - not merely objectively. By calling us to confess all grave matters the Church is telling us to be humble and not presume that the grave matter does not rise to the level of a mortal sin. However, if your confessor is telling you differently, listen to him since he is trying to form you and perhaps prevent scrupulosity, acedia, or other responses that are counterproductive. Apparently, based on what you’ve confessed he’s already told you it’s NOT a mortal sin. Remember all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Do not despair, one thief was saved. Do not presume, one thief was condemned. In all things trust in the mercy of God and walk humbly in his sight.
2. The second this is you must know the grave matter is a grave matter.
3. The third is you must with a free will chose to do it. Here is where your confessor is apparently focusing. As a habit or drive or impulse you are not choosing evil; you are not rejecting God or your fellow man; you are not stepping into evil so as to leave all goodness and love behind - you are being human. You confessor is telling you that you, like everyone else, is prone to sin and falling short - that is not a mortal sin; it is the human condition - sinful perhaps but a part of our fallen nature. If you focus too much on the sin that is inherent in us that we cannot seemingly overcome, we often are led truly into mortal sin because it all seems so impossible. We react by deciding nothing is a sin or we despair or get beaten down, or we reject everything… The priest knows you are fighting this sin (and has told you in effect it is not a mortal sin in your case- don’t over-react to it), but he knows that some sins can lead to worse if not kept in a proper understanding.

So, again, listen to your confessor. All is well. You love God and He loves you. You will never be perfect in this life - but God knows that. The pilgrimage to the grave often is difficult; it’s easy to get lost and one wonders from time to time if it all makes sense. Have faith, hope and charity - in them you will find your Lord Who will always be with you on this journey and the next - or perhaps better put, in your Lord you will find the faith hope and charity you need for this life and the next.

 

[bscastro]

Greetings,

I agree that you should listen to your confessor on this. However, if is a sinful act (Such as pornography) even as an addiction, I highly encourage doing your best to conquer it. It is not easy, and we will fail often because that is part of our nature, but part of it is becoming more vigilant and doing our best to turn towards God, and leave the rest to Him.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[opus101]

They are still objectively mortal sins (serious offenses against God). As far as your subjective culpability, only God knows that, so they are still to be treated as mortal sins. Listen to your confessor.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

If they’re real problems for you, they should be confessed every time. Not because they are necessarily mortal sins, but because confession bestows graces to help the penitent overcome the specific sins that are named in confession (hence the reason the laundry list is good in confession). Though, if this is an addiction, you’re still required to do everything within your power to root it out of your life. You don’t get a free pass in the name of “addiction”. Perhaps it’s time to make a concrete plan for rooting out this sin.

 

[mamaslo]

I’ve been going to confession regularly and have had to confess the same sins repeatedly. I always go to the same priest and confess face to face. He maintains the idea that these sins are habitual and addictive and don’t necessarily need to be confessed. I have made great headway as to the frequency at which the sins occur, but have not been able to rid myself completely. Can I forgo confessing these sins or do I need to keep confessing them?

I think that the reason the frequency has lessened is that you are open about it and want God to heal you of your addiction. You have opened your heart to healing grace. Stay open about it and accountable.