Didn't Answer the Priest's Question

[rowsofvoices9]

During confession this past Saturday I asked the priest if the three former general confessions I made were invalid because when I made them I didn’t name the exact species of two sins I confessed. When making those general confession I specifically asked the priests it they wanted me to go into further detail and all gave the unanimous answer of no. Well I got to thinking about the validity of those confessions because I read somewhere later on that the exact species of the sin must be confessed, otherwise the confession is invalid. Last May I went to confession and explained that I had already confessed these sins in the past but didn’t go into exact detail, I received absolution at that time and the priest who heard that confession told me that I was giving too much detail.

This past Saturday I asked about the validity of my previous general confessions and much to my surprise the priest asked me point blank what the sins were. He didn’t give me a chance to explain that the sins were previously confessed and absolution was received. Somehow I managed to avoid answering his question by telling him that at the time I committed them I didn’t even realize that they were mortal sins which is the complete truth. Looking back on it, technically it wasn’t necessary to even confess those sins.

Now I wondering if I made a horrible mistake by not answering the priests question. Was my confession bad?

 

[1ke]

It sounds like you may tend towards scrupulosity. I would suggest a spiritual director.

For heaven’s sake, you have had 3 priests absolve you of these sins and 3 priests tell you they did not need more detail than you had already given. ** STOP **going back to confession about these sins and these past confessions. They are valid. You are forgiven.

 

[RoseMary131]

Well I got to thinking about the validity of those confessions because I read somewhere later on that the exact species of the sin must be confessed, otherwise the confession is invalid.

This past Saturday I asked about the validity of my previous general confessions and much to my surprise the priest asked me point blank what the sins were.

Now I wondering if I made a horrible mistake by not answering the priests question. Was my confession bad?

You went to confession and received absolution from the priest. Then you read that the exact species of sin must be confessed to be valid. You have to trust the priest.

Remember that priest knows what he is doing. He would not have absolved you if he didn’t think you were confessing properly.

The same applies to the priest on Saturday. If he felt you had not answered his question and it still needed to be answered, he would not have given you absolution.

Each time you go to confession, you need to tell the priest that you suffer from scrupulosity. Tell him that after confession you are going to worry if you made a valid confession and then you’ll go to confession again about this same confession. You need to work on this with a priest.

May God give you the peace to trust in His Sacrament of Confession and to Trust in His priests who are hearing your confession.

 

[teachccd]

I agree with the previous posters. But, for your sake, If you MUST give a detail to free you of this doubt then by all means mention it and then let it go. You do need spiritual direction because you seem scrupulous and that can disturb your relationship with an infinitely loving God. When you confess a sin and you know that a detail might make it more grave then mention it but quit going back to past confessions wondering if you said enough. If, when you walk out of the confessional you are satisfied then stick with it. We can all do what you are doing and never feel forgiven. Nothing can make satan happier since he would love for you to never know the love of God.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

During confession this past Saturday I asked the priest if the three former general confessions I made were invalid because when I made them I didn’t name the exact species of two sins I confessed. When making those general confession I specifically asked the priests it they wanted me to go into further detail and all gave the unanimous answer of no. Well I got to thinking about the validity of those confessions because I read somewhere later on that the exact species of the sin must be confessed, otherwise the confession is invalid. Last May I went to confession and explained that I had already confessed these sins in the past but didn’t go into exact detail, I received absolution at that time and the priest who heard that confession told me that I was giving too much detail.

This past Saturday I asked about the validity of my previous general confessions and much to my surprise the priest asked me point blank what the sins were. He didn’t give me a chance to explain that the sins were previously confessed and absolution was received. Somehow I managed to avoid answering his question by telling him that at the time I committed them I didn’t even realize that they were mortal sins which is the complete truth. Looking back on it, technically it wasn’t necessary to even confess those sins.

Now I wondering if I made a horrible mistake by not answering the priests question. Was my confession bad?

Forgive me for being sarcastic, but what do you want, a big booming voice coming down from heaven saying you are or are not forgiven? Well, it aint gonna happen!
I agree with the prior posters who strongly advise that you get a spiritual advisor. Why don’t you go to your parish rectory - or any other Catholic rectory for that matter and ask to see the Pastor. Be open and frank wit him and ask him to recommend a spiritual advisor for you. Then follow his advice and go to Confession on a regular schedule. I once a week is too much for you, then, at least once every two weeks. You will feel much better by doing this, and will be able to address your transgressions and atonement with greater maturity.

 

[truthquester]

I would like to offer you some adivce on this matter. Maybe you need to forgive yourself, sometimes that a little harder to do than we realize. sometimes I too find that it harder to forgive myself than it is to forgive other people and it sounds like that’s where you are.
You don’t need permission to do that, you are even expected to.