Ectopic treated with methotrexate

[MShort]

In June of 2018 I had my second ectopic pregnancy. My first ended in surgery and the loss of the entire tube and I left armed with the knowledge that my remaining tube would most likely create the same situation. I was given the gift of a healthy pregnancy and child in 2015 and became pregnant again in 2018. Because of my history my obgyn was happy to see me quite early. It was confirmed through several blood tests and two ultrasounds that the pregnancy was in my tube. My husband had researched the topic of the churches teaching on ectopic pregnancy with my first pregnancy and he informed me that he believed it would be okay for me to take methotrexate with the second since we knew about the situation early enough to avoid surgery, which seemed advisable since I have a toddler to care for. I have just learned today that my husband was gravely mistaken. I want to note here that although my husband is not a Catholic I believe he truly thought the Church was okay with what we were doing and there was no willful deception on his part So now I am in this situation. Do I need to to make a confession for this? My husband says I was not culpable since I didn’t know I was doing something wrong. And yes I do now realize I should have done my own research but I see no point in dwelling on what should have been done as I can’t change it. As you can imagine this is incredibly distressing to me.

 

[Wesrock]

I would put aside the question of whether or not it was mortal and confess it anyway. Regardless of how culpable you are, it is a grave thing that occurred, and I think it best brought up in the confessional with a priest.

I’m not a priest or professional, though. Those are just my thoughts as a layperson.

 

[Mary888]

I am praying for your health and your baby’s!
God bless.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

I would put aside the question of whether or not it was mortal and confess it anyway.

Definitely something to bring up especially since you are troubled by it.

However, your husband is correct. You can’t commit a mortal sin by accident. Remember the three qualifications for mortal sin: grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent. If you didn’t know what you were doing was wrong, you are missing 2 of the 3 requirements for mortal sin.

 

[1ke]

I don’t think you are culpable at all. If it’s distressing you talk to your pastor in counsel, and if he recommends confession then go to confession.

You can confess venial sins as well as mortal, but I don’t think this was a sin at all. You were under a mistaken impression based on research your husband did during a stressful time. You had to make a quick decision. None of this points to deliberately transgressing the moral law.

 

[Allegra]

I agree with the other posters. You can’t commit a mortal sin accidentally. However, if you are upset over this event, it would be a good idea to talk to your priest about it. That’s what he’s there for! Well, one of the things.