Confession bind

[birdie74]

Is there ever an instance when you can confess something twice? The particular situation is that the only priest around to go to confession to is very liberal and “understanding”, so if I confess something like masturbation or using contraception, he doesn’t really think it is a sin. I know these grave sins are forgiven since I mentioned them, but I feel the desire to confess them again to a confessor who understands their gravity. In the fall I have access to another confessor who is brilliant and orthodox. He gives fabulous advice, and reads souls very well. Could I confess these mortal sins again since they weren’t recognized as mortal sins by the confessor the first time I said them??

 

[mercygate]

birdie74:

Is there ever an instance when you can confess something twice? The particular situation is that the only priest around to go to confession to is very liberal and “understanding”, so if I confess something like masturbation or using contraception, he doesn’t really think it is a sin. I know these grave sins are forgiven since I mentioned them, but I feel the desire to confess them again to a confessor who understands their gravity. In the fall I have access to another confessor who is brilliant and orthodox. He gives fabulous advice, and reads souls very well. Could I confess these mortal sins again since they weren’t recognized as mortal sins by the confessor the first time I said them??

God love you! I hope you won’t HAVE to confess them again!

 

[baltobetsy]

Birdie, you can always confess a sin again, as long as you understand (and from your post, you certainly do) that it has been forgiven the first time you confess it with sorrow and purpose of amendment. In fact, it is the practice of many who usually confess only venial sins or imperfections, to mention a mortal sin from the past, just in case they have committed no real sin since their last confession. The Sacrament needs sorrow for a real sin to work on; without sin, there is no absolution.

So, after you confess all your new sins, you could say something like, “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life, especially (insert mortal sin here).” And just to make sure you get the advice you need, you can ask the priest at this point to help you in your struggle against this sin.

Hope this helps.

Betsy