How do we confess certain sins without risking the sensibilities of the poor priest?

[ConstantineTG]

it is not, but it won’t.

do you seriously think a priest who listens to dozens if not hundreds of confessions each week remembers each sin and each sinner to recognize on the street?

If he is your regular confessor, then yes.

But think of it this way, if you have a serious illness, would you want to see a different doctor everytime you step into a clinic or go to the hospital? Or do you want the same specialist see you through from diagnosis to treatment to full recovery? That is the benefit of having a regular confessor.

 

[edwest2]

Father Corapi spoke of his conversion and mentioned a few of the things he used to do in very general terms. Father Riccardo, a local priest, did say on Catholic Radio that he does not remember people’s sins.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Ah, now I’m understanding the post a little better, yet, in my case, I would have to go into a little bit of detail (nothing disgusting) in order to get the right spiritual direction in a few matters. So what are we to do? I would need to go into my past and into my husband’s past to bring a few things to light (so here I MUST involve my husband), I would have to detail my thought processes how certain things affect me.
So I suppose I’m almost back to the original question in light of your previous post… how do so without hurting others in the process?

This sounds more like spiritual direction than a straightforward confession. Please make an appointment outside of regular confession times for a discussion like this. Perhaps even have your husband there so that he can benefit as well.

 

[laszlo]

Ah, now I’m understanding the post a little better, yet, in my case, I would have to go into a little bit of detail (nothing disgusting) in order to get the right spiritual direction in a few matters. So what are we to do? I would need to go into my past and into my husband’s past to bring a few things to light (so here I MUST involve my husband), I would have to detail my thought processes how certain things affect me.
So I suppose I’m almost back to the original question in light of your previous post… how do so without hurting others in the process?

My opinion is, that if you want advise go to an analyst. There are good Catholic ones, who can advise you properly.

The confession is about your sins, what you shall feel as shame, and to get God’s grace to overcome the sins. If, what you did, is not sin, it does not belongs to the confessional. If it is sin, you should be ashamed on it, and not dwell in graphic details. If you do not know if it is sin, then ask about it without graphic details. The only answer you need, is: can you do that in the future or not. To answer this, a few words are usually enough, if he needs more, he will ask.

Also the priest is not poor, he is judge over you in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

[odile53]

I think you need to differentiate what you’re looking for–absolution versus counseling. If you’re looking for absolution, and even general advice, any Catholic priest will do. If you are looking for spiritual direction, contact a priest of your choice and make an appointment outside of the confessional so you can discuss what is bothering you and get more targeted (name removed by moderator)ut. If you are looking for emotional or even mental health counseling, perhaps with a spiritual emphasis, making an appointment is a good first place to start, but chances are you will get referred to a mental health professional. By the way, there are some members of the priesthood who are counseling personnel (frequently, psychologists or other licensed therapists,) but they generally practice that part of their ministry in a clinical setting. Most priests, while they may excel at pastoral counseling, aren’t psychotherapists, but most parish priests can help you find one if that is what is needed.

 

[Love_Divine]

Priests have the Grace of Forgetfulness, which allows them to forget the majority of confessions when the penitant leaves the confessional,

 

[Kielbasi]

Don’t worry about the “sensibilities” of the priests.

Priests are professionals that have many years of training and discernment under the belts before they don the cassock.

They’ve seen it all and done it all, you aren’t going to “offend their sensibilities” regardless of what you tell them in the confessional.

 

[baltobetsy]

It’s just the same as showing one’s body parts to the doctor for examination. You wouldn’t worry about that, would you? You might blush a little, but he has to look.

 

[puzzleannie]

If he is your regular confessor, then yes.

Bor.

no he will not think of your sin every time he sees you outside confession, they don’t, they can’t it is just not possible to hold all that in your brain and still go about your duties.