Confession and Contrition

[John_Dark]

Is a Confession valid if the penitent neither feels like he loves God, nor hates his own sins, nor tangibly feels any fear of eternal punishment? That is, what if he simply makes an intellectual leap of faith to follow the Church’s teachings and amend his life accordingly? (For example, it might be based entirely on some kind of utilitarian, Pascal’s Wager-type calculation.)

Let’s say he makes a diligent effort to examine his conscience and to confess everything and intends to sin no more. However his confession is not accompanied by nor does it apparently arise from any sort of feeling one would ordinarily describe as love, fear, or sorrow?

Is his Confession valid or not?

Another way of phrasing this might be, when does one know that one has the requisite contrition for a valid Confession?

 

[Elizium23]

Is this a hypothetical situation or is this something you are presently struggling with? I would refer you to your confessor for guidance and always trust that the priest is able to discern proper contrition in order to offer a prayer of absolution.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Is this a hypothetical situation or is this something you are presently struggling with? I would refer you to your confessor for guidance and always trust that the priest is able to discern proper contrition in order to offer a prayer of absolution.

I agree 1,000%

 

[bilop]

Is a Confession valid if the penitent neither feels like he loves God, nor hates his own sins, nor tangibly feels any fear of eternal punishment? That is, what if he simply makes an intellectual leap of faith to follow the Church’s teachings and amend his life accordingly? (For example, it might be based entirely on some kind of utilitarian, Pascal’s Wager-type calculation.)

Let’s say he makes a diligent effort to examine his conscience and to confess everything and intends to sin no more. However his confession is not accompanied by nor does it apparently arise from any sort of feeling one would ordinarily describe as love, fear, or sorrow?

Is his Confession valid or not?

Another way of phrasing this might be, when does one know that one has the requisite contrition for a valid Confession?

Well, Pascal’s Wager implies a fear of damnation. Fear of the pains of Hell is sufficient contrition for a confession/absolution to be valid. Even if you are uncertain about the existence of Hell, you can still fear it.

God Bless

 

[Bookcat]

Note that contrition does not need to contain any particular “feeling” -it is more of the will. We cannot control fully our feelings (we have a diplomatic influence not a despotic). The person can discuss the matter with the Priest in confession -even make an appointment. He can assist and answer the particular questions.

 

[John_Dark]

Thanks to all who suggested bringing this up with the confessor. That’s good advice. I will definitely discuss issues pertaining to my own Confessions with my confessor, and I also second the suggestion to do so for anyone else facing a similar issue.

By posting this thread, I was going after an objective analysis of a hypothetical, but I do appreciate the suggestions.

My reading of the CCC passages on this subject indicates to me that some kind of feeling is required. If it’s not love (perfect contrition), then it must be fear (imperfect contrition).

So based on my own reading of the CCC, it seems to me that if one does not fear hell, but rather merely prefers heaven as the more logical choice, that would be insufficient to meet the listed requirements for some kind of contrition, and therefore his Confession would be invalid.

On the other hand, as another poster pointed out, not wanting to go to hell might imply fear of it. But it might only be an abstract or intellectual fear. Or maybe it doesn’t necessarily imply fear at all. I mean, simply not wanting some outcome to happen does not necessarily mean that you fear it, does it?

 

[Bookcat]

T
My reading of the CCC passages on this subject indicates to me that some kind of feeling is required. If it’s not love (perfect contrition), then it must be fear (imperfect contrition).

(stepping aside from the hypothetical given)

Yes I understand that such can seem to mean “feeling” is required but that is *not *what is meant. Feelings are good -and it is certainly very good to “feel sorrow” etc but it a particular “feeling” is not required for contrition. The will is central to contrition (and of course grace).

Tis of the *soul *not necessarily always in the sentiment.