Dispensation needed?

[coachkfan1]

Ok, so I know that the obvious answer for this will be to talk to my priest. But since he is out of town this week I thought that I would run it by friends here at CAF. I don’t want anyone to sugarcoat his answer, but please be gentle as the reason that I am asking this is because I really am trying to live our Faith to the best of my ability.

So, about eleven years or so ago, before I was Catholic and at a period in my life when I was not even a practicing Christian, although I had been baptized as a child in the Methodist church, I made a very reckless statement without really contemplating what I was saying. I am embarrassed to say that I told another person, “I swear to God I am going to stop drinking.” I did go on to stop drinking for several months. But as with a lot of men, I enjoy a cold beer and do not consider myself to have a problem with it.

When I became Catholic several years ago, at my first confession I made a general confession to, among many other sins, failing to keep my word to God sometimes. I was absolved all of my sins and proceeded to live a Catholic life to the best of my ability and have never regretted it.

So this week, while contemplating my sins, this incident came to mind, and I have heard before that people who had made vows had to get a dispensation from their priest to be free of them. So my question now, friends, is did this constitute a vow to God, am I in a state of mortal sin by drinking beer, and do I need a dispensation? Trust me, I know that it was a stupid and scandalous statement, but being that I was not Catholic, was it truly a vow and if so am I bound by it? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Bookcat]

Ones Pastor can dispense from a private vow (not commenting here on if such is the case here–such is a rather deliberate thing). Simply give ones Pastor a call…

 

[Joe_5859]

Unfortunately as it may be, many people use that as a figure of speech and do not really intend for such a phrase to mean they have made a solemn vow before the Lord.

As Bookcat said (and as it seems you already know), talking with your priest would be your best bet. Just give him a call next week when he returns.

 

[Bookcat]

I made a very reckless statement without really contemplating what I was saying. I am embarrassed to say that I told another person, “I swear to God I am going to stop drinking.”.

Were you deliberately vowing not to drink to God? …

Sounds like you were using the “common phrase” that some use…meaning they really intend to do something… (*though they should not).

For perfect peace of mind – call your Pastor.

What a private vow is:

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4E.HTM

When one commits a mortal sin:

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[Katholish]

Absolutely not a mortal sin. I can’t even see a case being made that it is venially sinful.