How in depth should a Confession be?

[EllieC]

Hello,
I have heard stances on either side and I often wonder the Catholic teaching on this. Some say that your thoughts can be considered a sin (unkind, etc. etc.) Others say that it is not a sin if you do not put action with it. So what is the depth that sin can go to? Are those inner stirrings and/or uncontrolled/controlled thoughts of sinful behavior sins or not?
Is considering suicide a sin? It is a mortal sin to commit, but is it a sin to consider suicide?
I just wonder if I should confess more in-depth to the inner stirrings of my heart. I guess it wouldn’t hurt, but I would like to hear some thoughts on this.

Also, I have heard the “Be bold, be brief, be gone” many times but I do think it is important to have a contrite heart, be sorry for your sins, and make a complete confession.

 

[LawyersGunsAndMoney]

If you need to have a more in depth discussion with a priest, that doesn’t necessarily have to be in confession. It’s perfectly fine to make an appointment with a priest just to get guidance/spiritual direction.

Also, if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, I urge you to contact a mental health professional ASAP.

 

[awesomecatholic]

When making your confession you need to be clear and concise so the priest knows what you mean. For example, if you watched porn, don’t say you committed the sin of impurity. You also don’t need to have an in-depth discussion with the priest, he might give you advice or you can make an appointment to talk.

 

[po18guy]

Type of sins and number.

That is the cake. Sometimes the priest will frost the cake with spiritual advice or direction. But you are there for the cake.

 

[rosejmj]

Thinking unkind or impure thoughts deliberately is a sin. Sometimes those kind of thoughts come into your mind, but if you choose to dwell on them then it becomes sinful.

Thinking about suicide can be sinful if you seriously are considering it. Culpability is a different matter because someone who is mentally I’ll may be less culpable

Usually people are told to be brief in confession, but you can always expand on something if it is bothering you or if you want advice or have questions. That is when it can be helpful to have a regular confessor or spiritual director, or you can just make an appointment with a priest if you want more time and advice

 

[YoungCatholicGuy]

Thoughts can be venial or mortal sin if: deliberate.

If it’s only a temptation , that you ignore, it’s not a sin.

 

[YoungCatholicGuy]

Deciding in thoughts to commit a mortal sin, is a mortal sin. As Jesus said in scripture: ‘A person who deliberately looks at a person with deliberate lust, has committed adultery with their heart.’
Jesus also said in scripture: ‘If you hate your brother, you are guilty of murder.’
And: (name calling maliciously) ‘He who calls his brother a fool, is liable for the judgement of Hell.’
Lack of forgiveness in thoughts is also a mortal sin: ‘if you do not forgive others their trespasses against you, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your sins.’

So yep Jesus said deliberate sinful thoughts or sinful decisions in thoughts; are sins.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Also, I have heard the “Be bold, be brief, be gone” many times but I do think it is important to have a contrite heart, be sorry for your sins, and make a complete confession.

Being brief doesn’t negate being complete. In fact, it can facilitate it. People get bogged down in details and either forget, omit, or simply cause a situation where there isn’t sufficient time for a complete confession when they give the back-story and lead up to the action that is the reason they’re in the confessional to begin with. Priests understand sin is a process and not necessarily a momentary action, and they certainly don’t need the background. More often than not, if we’re honest, we’re adding all of that to justify ourselves. That’s not needed, either; after all, if we could justify ourselves, absolution would be irrelevant.