Habitual Sin

[SacredHeartFan]

I have confessed two sins over and over again in confession. Last time I went to confession with our pastor, who is a very Holy and rightous man, he told me that these sins that would normally be mortal are only venial because they are habitual. He told me that I do not need to confess them unless I felt the need to and that a true Act of Contrition would repeal these sins and allow me to recieve Communion. I just would like to see some church documents on this. I trust this priest completely and fully, and would normally never question his practices but I was a little unsettled about this one. Thank you and Pax Christi!

 

[SacredHeartFan]

anyone?

 

[TomD123]

Well, If a sin is habitual it*** may*** not be mortal. The matter may be grave but because they are ingrained habits you may not have full consent of the will, but why try to determine that yourself. I think that whenever you commit a sin that is grave matter you should confess it for two reasons: 1) You are not always able to determine for yourself if you actually had full consent of the will and 2) Even if the sin was venial, what do you have to lose in Confession? It is always nice to confess even venial sins because you receive special sacramental grace from Confession that helps you to not sin.

Hope this answers your question

 

[Pug]

This is the best quote I have right now. I know, it makes an assumption about the sin(s) in question, for which I apologize. Please try to take it as a general comment on habit and the handling of certain things. I felt to edit it from its context would be wrong. Note that it clearly says that the absence of serious responsibility must not be presumed in general. Sins of weakness are generally serious and ought to be confessed. If, say, you have OCD or something, your confessor may be taking that into account.

On the subject of masturbation modern psychology provides much valid and useful information for formulating a more equitable judgment on moral responsibility and for orienting pastoral action. Psychology helps one to see how the immaturity of adolescence (which can sometimes persist after that age), psychological imbalance or habit can influence behavior, diminishing the deliberate character of the act and bringing about a situation whereby subjectively there may not always be serious fault. But in general, the absence of serious responsibility must not be presumed; this would be to misunderstand people’s moral capacity.

In the pastoral ministry, in order to form an adequate judgment in concrete cases, the habitual behavior of people will be considered in its totality, not only with regard to the individual’s practice of charity and of justice but also with regard to the individual’s care in observing the particular precepts of chastity. In particular, one will have to examine whether the individual is using the necessary means, both natural and supernatural, which Christian asceticism from its long experience recommends for overcoming the passions and progressing in virtue.

excerpt** SACRED CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH** ***PERSONA HUMANA ***
DECLARATION ON CERTAIN QUESTIONS
CONCERNING SEXUAL ETHICS

 

[bbentrup]

It’s quotes like those and the teachings they bolster that make me so proud to be Catholic. What a church! What a Holy Father!

 

[JRKH]

I think that your priests advise is sound in so far as it goes.

However -

This advise should not be taken as meaning the sins are trivial and you need not use all of your might to overcome these habits. (unless there are larger issues being dealt with and this would add too much).

Since they are habitual, it appears that there are underlying “root causes” that need to be addressed. Consider looking that the “seven deadly sins” to see if it gives you any insight as to what might be promoting these habits. Then look at the “seven heavenly virtures” for helps in overcoming the sinful “root cause”.

Breaking habitual sin requires time and tenacity. It requires changing our routine so that the sinful act no longer slips into the “norm”. But mostly it requires “simply saying No” as the bumper stickers say.

Good Luck.

Peace
James

 

[Ron_Conte]

An objective mortal sin is a gravely immoral act.
An actual mortal sin is a gravely immoral act chosen with full knowledge that the act is gravely immoral, and with full and free consent to that act.

While it may be the case that an habitual objective mortal sin is reduced in culpability from actual mortal to actual venial sin, due to less than full knowledge or less than full consent, this is not necessarily the case. So if you believe that the sin was an actual mortal sin, you would still be required by God to confess it, even if your confessor judges otherwise.