Commuting/ Undoing a given Penance

[Tannhauser]

Are there any Vatican (e.g., official) websites or documents that detail the power to commute or undo a given penance (e.g., a penance that would be too burdenome for the individual to complete?

e.g., if a diabetic was told to fast…

Also: are we under obligation to fulfil a penance e.g., if we do not fulfil a penance do we fall into mortal sin?

Please help.

 

[thistle]

Are there any Vatican (e.g., official) websites or documents that detail the power to commute or undo a given penance (e.g., a penance that would be too burdenome for the individual to complete?

e.g., if a diabetic was told to fast…

Also: are we under obligation to fulfil a penance e.g., if we do not fulfil a penance do we fall into mortal sin?

Please help.

You have to do a penance provided it is reasonable and is not immoral.
Obviously you do not have to do a penance which can damage your health. If a diabetic is told to fast then he should have the common sense to tell the priest he is a diabetic and the priest will change the penance to be done.

 

[Tannhauser]

You have to do a penance provided it is reasonable and is not immoral.
Obviously you do not have to do a penance which can damage your health. If a diabetic is told to fast then he should have the common sense to tell the priest he is a diabetic and the priest will change the penance to be done.

Are there any Vatican documents that clarify the situation with penance though?

 

[thistle]

Are there any Vatican documents that clarify the situation with penance though?

Penance is required to be done.
Penance cannot be anything against Church teachings or that may harm yourself or others.
What is not clear about that?

Can. 981 The confessor is to impose salutary and appropriate penances, in proportion to the kind and number of sins confessed, taking into account, however, the condition of the penitent. The penitent is bound personally to fulfil these penances.

 

[Brywan]

For future reference: the best time to deal with this kind of problem is in the confessional–if a priest gives you a penance which you feel you cannot or will not be able to keep, you need to tell him that. I have had priests ask ME if I thought I would be able to complete a particular penance…If you really cannot complete a particular penance, the priest will probably (graciously) give you a different penance…

Of course, this assumes that the reason you cannot complete a penance is a genuine impediment and not just the desire to escape something which will just make you feel uncomfortable…

Talk with your confessor about this concern…