Conversation with priest

[Kathrin]

I talked to a priest on the phone because I had a scrupulous problem. I asked if a thought was a sin. He said it wasn’t.
It wasn’t really a sexual thought in that sense, but something related.
It was a little bit embarrassing (not because of sexual things) so I didn’t tell the priest all the details. Like I said “such a person” which could be broader than exactly what kind of person I was speaking about.
Now was that lying.
Or hiding something.
Was I sinning in that conversation? I wanted to ask the question more generally. Was that ok? I really hope so. I don’t know if using a more general term would count as lying.

I am especially worried because I was talking to a priest. It wasn’t confession though.

---

Now I called him again but there was only his answering machine.
I left a message and asked if it was a sin if I didn’t tell him all the details before… something like that.
I also said that I’d try to stop the thoughts now!!
So I will.
If anybody here could help me with it that would really be nice.

Kathrin

 

[Bailey2]

You were not in the Sacrament of Confession. You do not sin when you are asking a general question for clarification and leave information out. In fact, it is prudent to leave information out! If you want to discuss this in detail, the best way is to ask for an appt for confession, lay it all out in detail and let the priest help you recognize what is sin and what is not. At least that’s what I’d do.

PS. Scruples, if you do indeed have them… is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder as many on this forum have pointed out. It is also highly treatable to great relief.

 

[kage_ar]

When one is scrupulous, it is best to stick with one Confessor and abide with what he tells you.

Don’t second guess yourself or go to strangers on the internet, trust your confessor.

 

[Kathrin]

It is so typical that I talk to somebody and then second guess myself.
Thinking, did I say something wrong.

But I really DID say “such a person” in a way that it would be taken to mean a more general group of people than I was thinking of. I was embarrassed and maybe it would have taken more conversation, and I just wanted the general question answered… And now I am scared that I may have lied to a priest!!!

p.s. At the same time I am embarrassed that I called him back and left two messages on his answering machine… Explaining how I wasn’t sure if it had been ok that I had formulated my question in a broader way. OH MAN and I said I’d try to let go and see what I am doing now, my thoughts spinning still… so that may have been a lie as well

 

[Kathrin]

ok I’ll try to be at peace now and go to bed.

God bless you all!

 

[Kathrin]

Probably should not have asked this here at all, I just felt so desperate yesterday… I know it can be dangerous to ask opinions of strangers if one is fragile like somebody with scrupulosity… yes at least one priest has told me something like that before:blush:

Anyway. I saw that priest again today (I went to his evening mass in a small side chapel, very nice ). When I shook his hand at the end I apologized for yesterday, and he said it was all ok, and he had gotten the messages I think in the morning… I explained to him again that I had started feeling guilty because I may have told things more generally and maybe that wpould have made it a lie… he warmly said, when I have such thoughts just to remember that that comes from my scrupulosity and give them over to God.

It made my heart feel very warm. He is so understanding. I had really been embarrassed…

Night night…

Kathrin

 

[LongJohnSilver]

I can imagine how you felt, sometimes you keep second guessing yourself. Great it worked out fine!