How specific do Confessions about impurity have to be?

[Nickname_Sam]

I used to think thoughts that would give me impure feelings. These thoughts were often the same, about people doing bad things to others, or people in pain and need, or certain words. Weird, I know. I just recently realized these things were causing me to have impure feelings, but sometimes they still happen and I think I can do more to prevent them. Anyway, if I confess this at Reconciliation, do I have to specifically say what these recurring thoughts that caused me these feelings are, or should I just say, “I used others’ pain and suffering to give me impure feelings and pleasure”?

 

[Bookcat]

Your confessor can assist you.

 

[FrancisBenedict]

If you start general they will always ask if they want more detail.
Usually its not much detail.

 

[Kevin12]

I used to think thoughts that would give me impure feelings. These thoughts were often the same, about people doing bad things to others, or people in pain and need, or certain words. Weird, I know. I just recently realized these things were causing me to have impure feelings, but sometimes they still happen and I think I can do more to prevent them. Anyway, if I confess this at Reconciliation, do I have to specifically say what these recurring thoughts that caused me these feelings are, or should I just say, “I used others’ pain and suffering to give me impure feelings and pleasure”?

Unless you are specifically dwelling on them, I don’t think it constitutes a mortal sin. But if you feel the need to, you can still confess it.

Also, if you’re talking about what I think you are, I don’t think you need to be that embarrassed because you are not only feeling lust, but abnormal lust. What I think you are describing is a left-over from our pre-Edenic ancestors, and probably not as abnormal as you think. That doesn’t make it acceptable or good, but then again, a lot of the times what people worry about in confession is not the badness of the sin itself but the social stigma attached to it - but here, well, I think the thing you are talking about is something the priest will have heard many times before, if you want to be specific about it.

 

[Warandpeace]

“Having lustful thoughts”

 

[Edward_H]

I was taught that you receive graces proportionate or specific to the level of specificity of your accusation.

If you want general graces…“I had impure thoughts…I engaged in 3 acts of impurity”

If you want more specific graces better tuned to to help you avoid these sins in the future…then…“I looked at porn and masturbated 3 times”.

No need for more specificity than that.

 

[Bookcat]

I was taught that you receive graces proportionate or specific to the level of specificity of your accusation.

If you want general graces…“I had impure thoughts…I engaged in 3 acts of impurity”

If you want more specific graces better tuned to to help you avoid these sins in the future…then…“I looked at porn and masturbated 3 times”.

No need for more specificity than that.

One is obliged to confess mortal sins in number and kind – one would be obliged to confess specifically (the specific kind) even if one does not use the “technical” terms.

 

[Edward_H]

One is obliged to confess mortal sins in number and kind – one would be obliged to confess specifically (the specific kind) even if one does not use the “technical” terms.

Yes…but humans being what they are come up with more abstract terms.

 

[Kevin12]

One is obliged to confess mortal sins in number and kind – one would be obliged to confess specifically (the specific kind) even if one does not use the “technical” terms.

I’m not sure what this person is asking about is a mortal sin, since it does not seem to be voluntary. That discussion maybe belongs elsewhere.

 

[Edward_H]

I’m not sure what this person is asking about is a mortal sin, since it does not seem to be voluntary. That discussion maybe belongs elsewhere.

Most sins of impurity are typically mortal. A good priest can be helpful in a chat about this.

 

[Bookcat]

I’m not sure what this person is asking about is a mortal sin, since it does not seem to be voluntary. That discussion maybe belongs elsewhere.

I was not directly addressing the OP (I did that above) --but rather one of the responses in the thread. Since what was noted would be read by others it was important to address it here too (though I agree it should be a “short discussion”). As I noted to the OP it would be good for him to address the question to his confessor (again I am not directly addressing his question – nor the seriousness etc of it. Though as Edward noted matters of sexual thoughts etc are grave (though one needs as with any mortal sin also the needed knowledge and consent).

 

[Bookcat]

Yes…but humans being what they are come up with more abstract terms.

Confession of mortal sins comes with the obligation to confess in number and in kind. That is in the “species”.

“Adultery” is for example a different kind than “fornication”.

One cannot confess what in reality is “fornication” – as “I did something sexual” or “I committed an impure act”.

One cannot just say “I did a sexual sin” or “I committed a sin against Chastity”. Such is the genus not the “species”.

One needs to get down to what it was --to the “kind” (species). Though again one need not use the technical terms.

One might say something like …

“I looked at lustful pictures” instead of “I looked at pornography”
I had sexual relations…instead of “fornication”
I had relations with a married woman and I am not married --instead of saying “adultery” .

(though the technical terms are short and get it out quickly…).

 

[Kevin12]

Most sins of impurity are typically mortal. A good priest can be helpful in a chat about this.

Having a lustful thought pop into your head is, I think, either not a sin or a venial sin - I think it only becomes mortal if you knowingly and consensually dwell on them. From what the OP said, it sounded like he was trying to push back these thoughts whenever they came to him, so I don’t think this constitutes the full knowledge and personal choice needed for it to be a mortal sin.

 

[Bookcat]

Having a lustful thought pop into your head is, I think, either not a sin or a venial sin - I think it only becomes mortal if you knowingly and consensually dwell on them, rather than trying to force them back, which is what the OP seems to be doing.

without getting into what the other OP means (he can discuss with his confessor) – yes that is correct.

All sorts of unwanted -unsought thoughts can at times “pop into our heads” with out there being any sin.

And for mortal sin one needs not only grave matter but full knowledge and deliberate consent.

And let me add it is best not to try to “force them back” so much as simply to turn ones thoughts or attention elsewhere.

 

[Edward_H]

Having a lustful thought pop into your head is, I think, either not a sin or a venial sin - I think it only becomes mortal if you knowingly and consensually dwell on them. From what the OP said, it sounded like he was trying to push back these thoughts whenever they came to him, so I don’t think this constitutes the full knowledge and personal choice needed for it to be a mortal sin.

Right, if we dwell on them,nurse them, or put ourselves in a situation,location where they are likely to tempt us…like a strip bar.

 

[Bookcat]

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[Nickname_Sam]

Your confessor can assist you.

So if I ask my Confessor about other kinds of sins and how specific I should be, should I just believe what he says, even if I’m afraid to trust him because he seems so lenient?