Confused on "Confess it just in case..."

[Ben_Sinner]

So I was always wondering, why are we told to confess all sins just in case because we may not know which sins are venial and which are really mortal

doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of “Full Knowledge”

doesn’t one have to be absolutely postive that the sin they are about to commit is a mortal sin…in order for it to be a mortal sin?

 

[Corki]

There is a spiritual benefit to confessing venial sins. Venial sins can become habitual and lead to more serious sins. A good confession is all known mortal sins and any “problematic” venial sins.

Full knowledge doesn’t mean that you have to know it’s a mortal sin. It means that you have to know it’s serious matter. Whether it then is mortal depends on full consent.

As the nuns used to say:

If:

a) it’s wrong
b) you know it’s wrong
c) and you do it anyway

it’s a sin.

 

[Joan1969]

So I was always wondering, why are we told to confess all sins just in case because we may not know which sins are venial and which are really mortal

doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of “Full Knowledge”

doesn’t one have to be absolutely postive that the sin they are about to commit is a mortal sin…in order for it to be a mortal sin?

Hi Ben,

I would say the soundness of the advice would depend on whether the person tended to be lax (the majority) or scrupulous. More lax Catholics would probably do well do mind the advice. It couldn’t hurt. But the same policy could aggravate scruples in some.

God Bless,
Joan

 

[Bookcat]

We are not told by the Church to do so.

One is only obliged to confess a mortal sin.

Venial sins can be forgiven in various ways…and it is encouraged and very good to confess some of them.

Now if there is some sin that one is not sure if it was mortal…it can be good to confess it…while stating that one is not sure if it was mortal etc.

A person who is lax should be encouraged to confess such for sure.

A person with a normal (and formed) conscience can be often advised to do as noted above.

One who has a difficulty with scruples to various degrees…can be given various advice depending on their scruples. It can often happen with the particularly scrupulous that they be advised never to confess directly “doubtful sins”.

 

[Bookcat]

doesn’t one have to be absolutely postive that the sin they are about to commit is a mortal sin…in order for it to be a mortal sin?

No I would not put it that way…

To give an example…say it is the Holy Day of the Assumption…and I think …is this a Holy Day of obligation this year or not? and I do not seek to find out…so I end up not knowing…but I still blow it off …

(But I quickly need to add “those who have difficulty with scruples” (there are a number in these forums)… discuss the matter with ones confessor and do not scruple…)

 

[Bookcat]

We are not told by the Church to do so.

One is only obliged to confess a mortal sin.

(a note to readers: we judge in terms of mortal sin and venial sin according to the criteria the Church has given us…see for example the summary in the Compendium)

Venial sins can be forgiven in various ways…and it is encouraged and very good to confess some of them.

Now if there is some sin that one is doubtful as to if it was mortal or not…it can be good to confess it…while stating that one is not sure if it was mortal etc.

A person who is lax should be encouraged to confess such for sure.

A person with a normal conscience is usually advised to confess it as noted above (noting the doubt).

One who has a difficulty with scruples to various degrees…can be given various advice depending on their scruples. It can often happen with the scrupulous that they be advised never to confess directly “doubtful sins”.