Have I committed a mortal sin?

[gennylaster]

I’m a brand new Catholic, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the past couple of weeks in examination of conscience, and I’m not liking what is coming up. Terrible things from my childhood that were repressed are being remembered and it has been incredibly painful.
I was molested by a family member when I was in elementary school. Through this, I allowed/instigated inappropriate touching by my brother. Will God hold me accountable for what happened when I was so young especially since it directly correlates with the abuse my siblings and I were subjected to? I feel so incredibly ashamed. Is this something that needs to be confessed?- because I think it will kill me to have to say this face to face to my priest.

 

[1ke]

You need to talk to a qualified counselor regarding the abuse you endured.

No you did not commit sin, you were a victim. Talk to your priest regarding your feelings of guilt and shame and get help for spiritual healing. You survived a traumatic situation, do not take this upon yourself alone and without help.

 

[ClayPots47]

The only sins you are required to confess are mortal sins. Not only were you incapable of fully consenting to the abuse you endured (due to you being a child and being immature), but you did not have knowledge of the gravity of the activity because you were a victim of others choices. You don’t meet the conditions for any sin, let alone mortal. Therefore there is nothing to confess as at no time did you ever sin.

However, if you haven’t received any therapy for these incidents, you should consider doing so. You might want to approach a priest to discuss how the abuse affected you spiritually, and also the priest might be able to refer you to appropriate counseling. It is understandable that you don’t want to bring up the subject with your priest. you don’t have to be detailed, and it might benefit you to hear your priest reassure you that you did nothing wrong.

You may also find this link helpful. It is a search page for RAIIN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) to find a crisis center in your area. From the website: “RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country.” There is a hotline too that you can utilize. Please consider utilizing the resources available to you through RAIIN, and seek help from your local crisis center in order to deal with the painful memories you suppressed for so long.

 

[gennylaster]

Thank you for your responses. You have no idea how much better I feel. I think I will still talk to my priest about my past. I can now truly move on I think.