Dealing with the scrupulous

[DeniseNY]

We seem to have a lot of scrupulous posters posting multiple threads asking whether or not something is sinfull.

I think that the only acceptable (and really helpful) response is to direct them to their pastor or spiritual advisor. Others try to give advice, but I think this only feeds the scrupulosity, and it’s really something that should be dealt with by someone qualified to do so; not by anonymous strangers on the internet

I would be interested in hearing others thoughts on this.

 

[Irishmom2]

I agree.

On certain threads some people will say yes, it’s a sin, or yes, it’s a mortal sin. And then someone else comes along and says nah, it’s nothing. So it’s really no help to the OP.

They do just need to go to their priest and get a regular confessor.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think you’re right. It doesn’t help the scrupulous at all to hear six different answers from six different people.

I think it would be helpful to have a standard response: See your confessor or spiritual director for help with your scruples.

And when someone does come along with advice, respond to that person that the OP has scruples and the only appropriate response is to refer them to their confessor or spiritual director.

 

[Mtatum1958]

Thanks for posting the question @DeniseNY.

There are three conditions for a sin to be mortal. For the scrupulous and maybe the ill instructed this seems to be difficult to navigate. In either case the variable and sometimes nuanced replies just feeds this uncertainty.

I almost always suggest just that (discussing it with a priest, spiritual director, etc.). I often wonder what an OP thinks upon reading seemingly conflicting responses, especially as they stray from the initial question

 

[1Lord1Faith]

I would be interested in hearing others thoughts on this.

I agree. But as long as others don’t agree, not much will change.

At this point it’s on Catholic Answers to do something about it. Their lack of action to the numerous complaints made by CAF members about those types of threads suggests that either they want members to harm those other members with scrupulous tendencies…in which case their Catholic apostolate should be revoked by the bishop of San Diego; or it suggests that they have shown incompetence by their new choice of a platform with fewer moderators.

Either way, it doesn’t look good. I don’t see enough of an effort on the part of CA to live up to their apostolate with regard to CAF.

 

[IWantGod]

We seem to have a lot of scrupulous posters posting multiple threads asking whether or not something is sinfull.

We should tell them that the views expressed in these forums are not necessarily the view of the Catholic Church. So if you are scrupulous it’s best that you see a priest about anything to do with “mortal sin”.

On the other hand i empathize with these people and view them as people who are suffering. I don’t think they mean any harm. And since this is an open forum and there is no rules against the scrupulous asking questions, we cannot stop them.

 

[DeniseNY]

On the other hand i empathize with these people and view them as people who are suffering. I don’t think they mean any harm

I empatize with them, too. I think some potential harm comes from trying to answer their questions. I fear that it keeps them from seeking out the guidance that they truly need.