Confusion In Confession

[english_guy]

Hello everyone,
I would like someone to clarify a confusing situation for me,when confessing a habitual Mortal sin i am told by my own priest “it is not classed as a mortal sin, especially since Vatican 2,just confess it in a general confession and do not let it stop you from going to communion”.I always say an act of perfect contrition before receiving,i have been told this by other priests as well.
My question is am i committing a Mortal sin by doing this?,I always promise to go to confession while in this sinful state, please help, this is really puzzling me!
God Bless,
Mick
(location,Nottingham,City of legends, U.K.)

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I see two possibilities here.

1. 
   *]It is possible that the sin you are confessing is indeed venial (not mortal), and your priest confessor may be trying to help you avoid scrupulosity (a disorder where we see sin where there actually is none, or we exaggerate the seriousness of our venial sins). If you think that is the case, it is best to follow your priest’s advice.
   
   *]A second possibility is that you are correct in judging your actions as a mortal sin, and that your priest confessor is giving you bad advice. Your mention of “it is not classed as a mortal sin, especially since Vatican 2” raises a red flag to me. Vatican II did not change God’s law, nor did it redefine what is sinful. God’s law does not change. The Church cannot change God’s law or natural law. (It can impose certain disciplines on us and it can change them over time. For example, years ago the fast before receiving Communion began at midnight; now it is just one hour before receiving. So in that sense the Church’s decrees can change what is “sinful,” since we are required to obey the laws of the Church.)
   
   If you can’t discern by yourself whether your confessor is giving you the straight story, go to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and see whether it describes the sin in question as “grave,” “serious,” or similar wording. (If you have the Catechism, use the index in the back. If not, you can find it online here vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM ; scroll down to PART THREE, which deals with Christian living, morality, conscience, and details on each of the Ten Commandments.) Or contact another priest you know to be trustworthy. If you want to do it privately, you might call the Apologetics Department at Catholic Answers, 619-387-7200, and ask for Father Serpa. They are open Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM Pacific Time.
   
   My guess is that, if you sincerely don’t know whether something is a mortal sin, it is not sinful to receive Communion. But it is your duty to do your best to find out.
   
   God bless you, english guy, as you try to clarify this.

 

[english_guy]

Hello there,
many thanks for your quick reply,I will act on your excellent advice,thank you once again,
Regards, Mick.(UK)

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If your own confessor plus other priests have given you advice why are you turning to total strangers? If you don’t trust your confessor to give you good advice in the sacrament, then find a different priest who you can trust.

 

[english_guy]

Hello there,
I was just looking for some general advice as I am confused on this matter,I will also bear in mind your good advice which I appreciate, thank you very much.
God Bless,
Mick.(UK)

 

[Spirithound]

As Philothea was, I was piqued by the mention of VII. I’m also unclear as to what he means by a “general confession”. Maybe he means the Penitential Rite in the Mass? On the flip side, if several priests are telling you the same thing, it seems likely that they are right.
Anyways, the habits of certain sins are very hard to break. I have been greatly blessed by confessing weekly. If your parish offers confession before Mass (and most of the churches I have been to offer it before the Vigil Mass on Saturday), and you’re in a position to go early, you can confess then. Your confessor doesn’t need to know that you’re there specifically to confess “that sin”. It’s a good practise to confess both mortal and venial sins in confession, so either way, you’ve gotten it off your conscience.
God bless.