i think it depends on the actual situation
The answer is in the question itself. If the priest has “recommended” it, in language which is clear that it is a recommendation only, then it is not sinful, in itself, to not follow his recommendation. Of course, this is not a license to do something which is sinful by other standards (eg. If I don’t follow my priest’s “recommendation” to avoid fornication I have still committed I mortal sin!), but, there is no sin of disobedience or disrespect in not following a recommendation which was not issued with authority.
Obviously that is not a sin and to answer your previous question it is also not a sin not to do what any good man recommends.
Thanks. A more simple response than mine! Yes - “obviously”
(although it did take me a few years in the Catholic faith to understand that sin is different from not always doing the best thing, and even longer to understand that conscience has a place beside Church authority)Are you going to confession once a year? If the issue is how much you go to confession, and you’re NOT going once a year as the Chruch teaches, then I would think you might be asking the wrong question. Inherently, there isn’t sin in not doing what the priest recommends, but inherently there is sin in not going to confession once a year.
No. We don’t need to leave our brains at the door. We should take priestly advise in light of his role as spiritual advisor, and allow ourselves to grow in humility. We should overcome any sins that might hinder us from taking good advise. But if its apparant that the advise really doesn’t fit well with your situation and that there is no objective sins taking place, than take it with a grain of salt.
Taking it further, even refusing to following a Priest’s command would not be inherently sinful.
In general I agree, but I think there are exceptions. Penance assigned in confession is the obvious example - it is inherently sinful not to do an assigned penance. Liturgy would be another matter. If the priest were to command that the people in the pews on the left approach communion before those on the right, then it would be a sin to disobey (without good reason). However, if he were to command me to stop dating a certain woman, just because he thinks she’s bad for me, and no other reason (eg. our marital statuses), then it would not be inherently sinful to disobey. I am struggling to think of any occasion, apart from penance, when it would be inherently sinful to not follow a priest’s command to me on a personal or even spiritual matter - even if he is correct, and the matter involves sin. He can withhold absolution for a just cause, but even then if I don’t do his required action (eg. stop living with my girlfriend) then my sin is not one of disobedience. I think that the Church does not give priests such authority.
We are required to confess our GRAVE sins once a year. I’m sure there are some people out there who don’t have any such sins over the course of the year and therefore are not required to confess at least once a year.Are you going to confession once a year? If the issue is how much you go to confession, and you’re NOT going once a year as the Chruch teaches, then I would think you might be asking the wrong question. Inherently, there isn’t sin in not doing what the priest recommends, but inherently there is sin in not going to confession once a year.
Not sure I worded that in the best way.
You are wrong. It is not required to go to Confession once a year. You are required to confess mortal sins once a year in order to fulfill the obligation to receive Communion during Easter. However, you are not required to confess once a year if you have not committed any mortal sins.Are you going to confession once a year? If the issue is how much you go to confession, and you’re NOT going once a year as the Chruch teaches, then I would think you might be asking the wrong question. Inherently, there isn’t sin in not doing what the priest recommends, but inherently there is sin in not going to confession once a year.
Not sure I worded that in the best way.
well I thought it was a recommendation since I do go to confession once a year for mortal sins and I confess any mortal sins I think I may have. So I figured, that since I’m relatively normal, then the priest did not say anything that was obligatory. (a little question begging)
What does this mean? Clearly is not every act that is against right reason a morally bad act, and so a sin?
Thanks for the follow up. It’s good for an OP to consider the responses and clarify any further issues.
The understanding of “sin” is an area where Catholicism shines in relation to Protestantism. Protestants tend to both reduce actual sins (eg. divorce and remarriage) and multiply non-existent sins (eg. not attending three church meetings a week). These effects often lead to a person performing actual sin in order to avoid imagined “sin”. Catholics can do this too, but the confessional tends to sort us out.
Sorry, but this is “too hard” for me.
. I can only recommend that you either think it through for yourself, as best you can, or go back to confession and ask him directly. If you can’t see the same priest, then just ask another one.Apart from being obliged to do the penance the priest gives you what else do you expect the priest to tell you that is obligatory?
Just one question. Whilst in confession did you agree to do whatever it was the priest “recommended”, or did you just politely listen? In my experience, the priest’s advice is usually given as a monologue and I listen politely and nod with a manner that says “Yes, I will try”, but not necessarily “I will do it” - and the priest understands that is my response also. If the priest is more clear and firm on a matter, then I don’t say “yes” unless I mean it, and, consequently, I am obliged to perform the action afterwards.