Detail when confessing pornography

[prussia95]

When we confess mortal sins we are to state the moral sin in kind and number along with any details that make the sin more sinful. For example if a man commits murder he is to state the murder and number of times, but if he murdered his brother he should mention that since murdering one’s brother is more sinful than murdering a stranger (I realize my example is one in the extreme, but you get my point).

With that in mind when confessing pornography how detailed should one get? There are a lot of different types of pornography out there. Does one need to confess the kind involved? Pornography involving homosexual acts, acts involving multiple people, the acts themselves? I think you get my drift. One wouldn’t want to put unwanted images in the mind of the confessor.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[CB_Catholic]

When we confess mortal sins we are to state the moral sin in kind and number along with any details that make the sin more sinful. For example if a man commits murder he is to state the murder and number of times, but if he murdered his brother he should mention that since murdering one’s brother is more sinful than murdering a stranger (I realize my example is one in the extreme, but you get my point).

With that in mind when confessing pornography how detailed should one get? There are a lot of different types of pornography out there. Does one need to confess the kind involved? Pornography involving homosexual acts, acts involving multiple people, the acts themselves? I think you get my drift. One wouldn’t want to put unwanted images in the mind of the confessor.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

Just confess the sin of viewing pornography and how often. If the priest wants details he will ask. God knows the rest.

 

[truetofaith]

Wow ! …Is getting hot & bothered by a Playboy Calendar more of a mortal sin than a hard core porn magazine?

Come On, use some common sense!

 

[friardchips]

I’d actually say that using descriptive words over and above would be like trying to lighten the sin by showing how one thinks of the sin now, as if to say: “It was so depraved” etc…; we’re not called to judge ourselves, we leave that to God. But I think it is good to be upset or for it to be heartfelt.

I don’t really like the way one has to say how many times because for me the nature of the sin is one, and it can make the confession seem like robotically reading off a list, though we are supposed to. I think as well, pausing a bit between each sin, allowing the time to reflect, as the priest might then ask questions, although he might not. You could say “seriously hard porn”, maybe? This will show it is worse than calendar porn if it makes you feel better - as if you are being more honest - I don’t think there’d be a problem with that.

 

[thistle]

Just confess the sin of viewing pornography and how often. If the priest wants details he will ask. God knows the rest.

Absolutely correct.

 

[808Catholic]

When we confess mortal sins we are to state the moral sin in kind and number along with any details that make the sin more sinful. For example if a man commits murder he is to state the murder and number of times, but if he murdered his brother he should mention that since murdering one’s brother is more sinful than murdering a stranger (I realize my example is one in the extreme, but you get my point).

With that in mind when confessing pornography how detailed should one get? There are a lot of different types of pornography out there. Does one need to confess the kind involved? Pornography involving homosexual acts, acts involving multiple people, the acts themselves? I think you get my drift. One wouldn’t want to put unwanted images in the mind of the confessor.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

There are not “original sins” that the priests haven’t already heard. I suggest simply confessing “impure in thought and body” and give an approximate number of times. It helps the priest understand how deep this sin goes when he knows an approximate number of occurrences over the time frame. “A couple of times” over a period of 6 months is different from “hundreds of times” over a period of a month. I think you understand. God bless you and have a blessed Lenten season.

 

[pianistclare]

What the others said.
Plus, I would think, that if one is TRYING to get out of the habit of viewing porn, one would understand that you shouldn’t be willing to discuss porn either.
Suffice it to confess the sin, and then drop it.
Going into detail? no. Acknowledge the sin and repent of it. Make every effort to stop hurting yourself in this way.
Good luck!

 

[Catholic1954]

I viewed kiddie porn xyz number of times. I viewed adult porn xyz number of times. There is no need to get very specific. It takes too long, distracts from the rest of your confession, and the priest does not need to know the gory details; if he wants more information he will ask. If you have an addiction, then you might find it helpful to have a regular confessor who knows you and can offer real advice and insight to help you overcome this problem.

 

[Xantippe]

What the others said.
Plus, I would think, that if one is TRYING to get out of the habit of viewing porn, one would understand that you shouldn’t be willing to discuss porn either.
Suffice it to confess the sin, and then drop it.
Going into detail? no. Acknowledge the sin and repent of it. Make every effort to stop hurting yourself in this way.
Good luck!

Right!

 

[Ignatius]

When we confess mortal sins we are to state the moral sin in kind and number along with any details that make the sin more sinful. For example if a man commits murder he is to state the murder and number of times, but if he murdered his brother he should mention that since murdering one’s brother is more sinful than murdering a stranger (I realize my example is one in the extreme, but you get my point).

With that in mind when confessing pornography how detailed should one get? There are a lot of different types of pornography out there. Does one need to confess the kind involved? Pornography involving homosexual acts, acts involving multiple people, the acts themselves? I think you get my drift. One wouldn’t want to put unwanted images in the mind of the confessor.

.

Just that you’ve viewed pornography and how many times.

 

[Vico]

When we confess mortal sins we are to state the moral sin in kind and number along with any details that make the sin more sinful. For example if a man commits murder he is to state the murder and number of times, but if he murdered his brother he should mention that since murdering one’s brother is more sinful than murdering a stranger (I realize my example is one in the extreme, but you get my point).

With that in mind when confessing pornography how detailed should one get? There are a lot of different types of pornography out there. Does one need to confess the kind involved? Pornography involving homosexual acts, acts involving multiple people, the acts themselves? I think you get my drift. One wouldn’t want to put unwanted images in the mind of the confessor.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

Confess the kind and number along with any details that affect the species of sin. Species distinguishes one sin from another in the same category. So sins of lust are divided into two major categories: thoughts (ninth commandment) and actions (sixth commandment). But also those involved in the sixth commandment could make it or combine with it: fornication, incest, seduction, adultery, rape, sacrilege, unnatural vice (e.g., masturbation, unnatural copulation, sodomy, beastiality),

 

[thistle]

Confess the kind and number along with any details that affect the species of sin. Species distinguishes one sin from another in the same category. So sins of lust are divided into two major categories: thoughts (ninth commandment) and actions (sixth commandment). But also those involved in the sixth commandment could make it or combine with it: fornication, incest, seduction, adultery, rape, sacrilege, unnatural vice (e.g., masturbation, unnatural copulation, sodomy, beastiality),

Normal Catholics don’t know this.
The penitent should simply say they have viewed pornography and the number times if remembered. If the priest wants a breakdown of species he can ask but he won’t.

 

[Xantippe]

Normal Catholics don’t know this.
The penitent should simply say they have viewed pornography and the number times if remembered. If the priest wants a breakdown of species he can ask but he won’t.

Right.

I think that technically, Vico might be correct, but pastorally, it’s very likely that being very specific about particular sexual offenses will produce vivid memories of said sexual offenses.

Anytime that even just thinking about a past sin provides an opportunity to sin some more, it is probably most prudent to think about it in as little detail as little as possible.

I think confessing to being a habitual daily viewer of pornography is plenty of information for the confessor to work with.

 

[Vico]

Normal Catholics don’t know this.
The penitent should simply say they have viewed pornography and the number times if remembered. If the priest wants a breakdown of species he can ask but he won’t.

Production of pornography is sixth commandment violation, and scandal (fifth commandment).

Catechism 2514 … " In the Catholic catechetical tradition, the ninth commandment forbids carnal concupiscence;" …

For viewing reading and pornography there is scandal if anyone knows, including hit counts, subscriptions, etc., but also the ninth commandment. From Baltimore Catechism we see it is the species of lust called unchaste thoughts that occurs (a violation of the ninth commandment):272. What is the ninth commandment of God?

The ninth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.* Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. (Deuteronomy 5:21)*
273. What are we commanded by the ninth commandment? By the ninth commandment we are commanded to be pure in thought and desire.* Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)*
274. Are mere thoughts about impure things always sinful in themselves? Mere thoughts about impure things are not always sinful in themselves, but such thoughts are dangerous.
275. When do thoughts about impure things become sinful? Thoughts about impure things become sinful when a person thinks of an unchaste act and deliberately takes pleasure in so thinking, or when unchaste desire or passion is aroused and consent is given to it.
276. What is forbidden by the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment forbids all thoughts and desires contrary to chastity.
​

 

[thistle]

Production of pornography is sixth commandment violation, and scandal (fifth commandment).

Catechism 2514 … " In the Catholic catechetical tradition, the ninth commandment forbids carnal concupiscence;" …

For viewing reading and pornography there is scandal if anyone knows, including hit counts, subscriptions, etc., but also the ninth commandment. From Baltimore Catechism we see it is the species of lust called unchaste thoughts that occurs (a violation of the ninth commandment):272. What is the ninth commandment of God?

The ninth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.* Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. (Deuteronomy 5:21)*
273. What are we commanded by the ninth commandment? By the ninth commandment we are commanded to be pure in thought and desire.* Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)*
274. Are mere thoughts about impure things always sinful in themselves? Mere thoughts about impure things are not always sinful in themselves, but such thoughts are dangerous.
275. When do thoughts about impure things become sinful? Thoughts about impure things become sinful when a person thinks of an unchaste act and deliberately takes pleasure in so thinking, or when unchaste desire or passion is aroused and consent is given to it.
276. What is forbidden by the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment forbids all thoughts and desires contrary to chastity.
​

How many people outside the USA do you think have read the local US Baltimore Catechism?

I would even bet most US Catholics have not read it either.

 

[OraLabora]

How many people outside the USA do you think have read the local US Baltimore Catechism?

I would even bet most US Catholics have not read it either.

When I was a kid we had a catechism very similar to the Baltimore Catechism, but in French. It was drilled into our memory by our teachers (lay teachers at a Catholic school) and we had to be able to rattle it off from memory in front of the class; teacher would ask, say “what is the 9th commandment of God?” and we had to be able to provide the answer. Most of us knew it by heart then. Now not so much… I just have the modern catechism on my bookshelf (also in French) but rarely use it, I mostly reference it online from the Vatican website in whatever language I need (French or English).

If you have an addiction, then you might find it helpful to have a regular confessor who knows you and can offer real advice and insight to help you overcome this problem.

I second the advice to have a regular confessor. We all have some sins that exercise a greater grip on us than others, and a regular confessor can help, but I’ve also found from time to time a different confessor can inject a different perspective, while continuing to work with your regular confessor.

 

[Tonaw]

I think more in question here is how many times* exactly*? Like at each viewing per day or do the amount of pictures count for the amount of times. Which is a reasonable question but in order to obtain peace I would just say the core sin and if you can’t remember how many or can’t figure it out just say an approximate number and if you can’t remember the number inform him of that. Be careful, such things can cause scruples, not to mention the fact of the deadly effects such mortal sin have on the soul.

As part of the contrition element of confession one should take the necessary measures to stop such sin and occasion of it. If it’s an addiction one should resort to drastic measures and get some sort of software to block such things from happening, find someone to be accountable too, and give them the password etc. Remember, a priest has been given the authority to forgive or retain sin. He can withhold forgiveness if they are not truly contrite and actually try to stop these things.

 

[pianistclare]

Normal Catholics don’t know this.
The penitent should simply say they have viewed pornography and the number times if remembered. If the priest wants a breakdown of species he can ask but he won’t.

Yes.
Thanks.

 

[Vico]

How many people outside the USA do you think have read the local US Baltimore Catechism?

I would even bet most US Catholics have not read it either.

I am providing the information here for educational purposes.

The first item on the ninth commandment is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which many also may not have read. There is equivalent on the sixth commandment in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Catechism of the Catholic Church - Ninth: IN BRIEF
2528 “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (*Mt *5:28).
2529 The ninth commandment warns against lust or carnal concupiscence.
2530 The struggle against carnal lust involves purifying the heart and practicing temperance.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a9.htm

Catechism of the Catholic Church - Sixth:2354 *Pornography *consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.

IN BRIEF
2396 Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices.
2400 Adultery, divorce, polygamy, and free union are grave offenses against the dignity of marriage.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm

 

[DivineMercy2000]

Hello…

When one goes to confession, especially with embarrassing things such as this, it helps them to feel reconciled if it is a little scary for them.

I think that if it was normal run of the mill stuff then you can say ‘watched impure videos’ usually the priest will completely understand, especially if said with what usually comes with it.
However, if it is of children or something like that, I would add in that detail. ‘impure images of children etc.’

As long as you think that the priest understands, then you’re ok. Say what you want though, it’s up to you.

You don’t want to be putting things into your confessor’s head and it being too difficult will just make it scary for you and put you off going back.

I think that it’s useless dwelling on what you said in confession after you are out.
As long as you are just trying to live as best as possible then God knows you are trying

[BIBLEDRB]A humble and contrite heart O God you will not spurn[/BIBLEDRB]