IfCan you get a second opinion if a priest won't absolve you and you feel under duress?

[foolishmortal]

I’m somewhat of a hypochondriac, but not like Bill Murray in “What about Bob?”. I do like to use sanitizer, though. I think I suffer from a sense of insecurity long before really believing my church…The Church, but I function normally, for a shy person in a group of mingling strangers.

I’ve had this swimmer’s ear feeling for some days. A priest today didn’t feel I had enough contrition for a solitary habitual sin. I’m sad to say I do tailgate when there’s only one lane going on my way, esp. in a rush, and complain a lot about clergy on forums too (where you do feel you’re not in-person, anyway), so don’t assume it’s sexual. I see his concern, but I thought you just have no use for whatever it is you’re confessing before you go to Confession. I believe I won’t and have no desire to when I go. There’s many times you might fall, because you have a habit. Could you fight the fault if you had no supernatural grace? Am I wrong? I’m not smarter than the priest.

 If I feel worried about this swimmer's ear sensation being pressure on the brain (I have felt very aware of that side of my face in the past and on both upper sides of the brain during stress), could I go to another very conservative priest and get absolved, if he would, even though the priest today thinks it wouldn't be good for a prescribed number of days of saying the rosary every day, as a minimum?  He doesn't know me or of my physical concern.  Not being absolved may be what I deserve, but what if I died from something unexpectedly before the time's up?  Even if I had a stroke from the pressure feelings, I might not be able to confess again.

Thanks!

 

[Philotheatoo]

I don’t know if you can ask another priest for absolution but, I know that I have been refused absolution and then gone to another priest to receive it. However, as a result, I did not FEEL absolved in my heart.

I had to examine my conscience and, as directed by the priest who DID absolve me, once I was sure in my heart that I truly and deeply wanted to be sanctified and ‘pure’, once I knew that I did possess the strength - WITH God’s help and grace - to stay on the righteous path, I prayed fervently everyday for purification of my soul and relief from the temptation and inclination to sin, thanking God all the while, for purifying me. In other words I said, “Dear God, I beg you to continue to work in me and give me strength to resist my inclination to (the sin). I am imperfect and impatient and pray for release now so that I may feel pure in my soul and approach you with a clean heart. Please purify my soul and continue to be my strength in my battle with the devil.”

Until I was truly ready to STOP committing the same sin over and over, the absolution wasn’t REAL in my heart anyway.

I hope this helps and I will pray God will open your eyes to see what is in your soul and open your ears to hear His Word.

 

[Trishie]

Hi!
I’ll pray for you that you break out of the cycle. If the priest refused absolution I would guess he’s trying to give you a wake-up call to really change certain behaviours. St Padre Pio acted thus on occasion, and usually the person ended up undergoing some kind of conversion experience through re-thinking their lives and perspective. Perhaps he might intercede for you.

If something’s actually wrong with your health I ask the Lord to guide you to whatever you need to attain better health. We can become accustomed to long-term recurring symptoms and ignore them but that’s not always the best for our health.

God bless you,
Trishie

 

[foolishmortal]

It could just be anxiety that’s causing funny physical discomforts. I understand depression can do that.
Does sleepiness from sleep deprivation (I have a bad habit of being up too late, to have time to myself, and then being woken up by daylight and/or a loud noise from inside or outside). Can that limit your culpability enough regarding decision-making, even if you feel you chose to do something stupid (it wasn’t semi-wakefulness day-dreaming, but it is sleep debt)? I have dark circles under my eyes, conveniently masked by my clear prescription glasses (it must be the reflection off them that does it.

Thanks!

 

[Trishie]

I know how easy it is to say…“I’ll start going to be earlier”, I’ll go to bed early tonight". It’s not so easy to do that when the moment arrives…who knows, it could be a very worthwile Lenten penance for you. It might take some days to adjust to and you may stay awake for a while because your body-clock is confused…but if you persevere you may settle down, to your physical, mental, and spiritual benefit.

For the sake of your health, your ability to cope with tensions and daily life, and for the sake your long-term health and even your spiritual wellbeing…I ask God to help you go to bed earlier. Staying up unduly late by choice (not due to responsibilities or insomnia) isn’t so much a mitigation, but a fault in itself. Have you considered setting an alarm for a particular bed-time?

God bless you, Trishie

 

[foolishmortal]

Thanks for your concern! I am truly sophmoric. I added a signature to express how prideful I am.