Is this orthodox advice?

[pcg2]

In April’s Scrupulosity Anonymous Newsletter, a reader asked this question:

Canon law 988 §1 and Baltimore Catechism question 794 say people who honestly forget to confess a mortal sin are still forgiven, but if they recall the mortal sin afterward they must confess it in the next confession. What about people with scrupulosity? Should they
confess forgotten mortal sins or simply go forward fresh with each honest confession?

To which the priest answered:

First, I urge all people with scrupulosity to stop reading the Code of Canon Law and the Baltimore Catechism. Doing so will only increase the anxiety and questioning. You may
think you’ll find relief, but you won’t. Second, all people, not only those with scrupulosity, should “go forward fresh with each honest confession.” That’s the purpose of the sacrament and the best spiritual practice and attitude all can acquire. God bless you.

He seems to be saying (unless I am mistaken, which I very well could be) that people should not worry about forgotten, unconfessed mortal sins in their next confession. I know that the Church teaches that we should confess all forgotten mortal sins at our next confession in order to express sorrow for them. However, is it a sin not to do so? I only ask because his answer seems to be inconsistent with what I understand the Church teaches.

Thank you

 

[DexUK]

If you struggle with scrupulosity yourself, I’d recommend trusting the priests who minister to those with that condition. Take them at their word and you’ll not be doing wrong since they’re in a position to tell you what to do about the matter. That way you can get yourself back on balance and start to let go of the torments that scruples can give you.

 

[po18guy]

First, I urge all people with scrupulosity to stop reading the Code of Canon Law and the Baltimore Catechism. Doing so will only increase the anxiety and questioning. You may think you’ll find relief, but you won’t. Second, all people, not only those with scrupulosity, should “go forward fresh with each honest confession.” That’s the purpose of the sacrament and the best spiritual practice and attitude all can acquire. God bless you.

If, by “go forward fresh”, he means that you should forget unconfessed sin, then I would take exception to what he said. How can he assist you in avoiding future sin, or even the near occasion of sin, if he never hears all of your sins?

As well, since those who suffer (and I mean suffer) from scrupulosity are terribly self-critical, don’t they also need to get all off of their soul? The thought of not mentioning a forgiven but unconfessed (forgotten) sin could only lead to further difficulties.

He is absoltely correct about stopping the reading of Canon law and the catechism - especially if it is done, not with an eye toward gaining knowledge, but with fear and anxiety over somehow failing. A tiny percentage of Catholics need ever do so. I have not once given Canon law a look. No need to. I simply confess and allow the judgment of my confessor, who sits in persona Christi, to decide and assign a penance.

May Christ’s peace be always with you.

 

[Bookcat]

In April’s Scrupulosity Anonymous Newsletter, a reader asked this question:

Canon law 988 §1 and Baltimore Catechism question 794 say people who honestly forget to confess a mortal sin are still forgiven, but if they recall the mortal sin afterward they must confess it in the next confession. What about people with scrupulosity? Should they
confess forgotten mortal sins or simply go forward fresh with each honest confession?

To which the priest answered:

First, I urge all people with scrupulosity to stop reading the Code of Canon Law and the Baltimore Catechism. Doing so will only increase the anxiety and questioning. You may
think you’ll find relief, but you won’t. Second, all people, not only those with scrupulosity, should “go forward fresh with each honest confession.” That’s the purpose of the sacrament and the best spiritual practice and attitude all can acquire. God bless you.

He seems to be saying (unless I am mistaken, which I very well could be) that people should not worry about forgotten, unconfessed mortal sins in their next confession. I know that the Church teaches that we should confess all forgotten mortal sins at our next confession in order to express sorrow for them. However, is it a sin not to do so? I only ask because his answer seems to be inconsistent with what I understand the Church teaches.

Thank you

Your observation is correct. Such is the what is to happen. If someone forgets a mortal sin …he is ‘obliged’ to confess the forgotten mortal sin in his next confession (unless of course he forgets…then the next…will be fine etc).

Now it may be the case that a person who is scrupulous may be to told by his confessor to leave the past…unless he is both certain it was a mortal sin or was necessary to say…and he did not confess it in the past…for often a person with scruplulosity will want to “re-confess” all the time or “worry if he really confessed something” …or “confessed it they way he wanted” etc…so the confessor may tell him…leave the past …unless you are certain it was mortal and certain it was not confessed etc…or he may even if things are really bad give him other directions which a normal person would not follow…but just for him…

But you are correct that if a person has forgotten a mortal sin…he is obliged to confess it…though if they are scrupulous…please note that their confessor may need to tell them to leave it …for it can cause great harm and make them worse in their scrupulosity etc

It is important for a scrupulous person or a person with a tendency to scruples…have a regular confessor who will know him and direct him…this is key! He can then ask the confessor to take responsibility for a while for him…

 

[Bookcat]

As to “is it a sin?” yes…but for those with scruples who are told not to by their confessor…it is not…for they are in a special boat…

 

[Bookcat]

unless he is both certain it was a mortal sin or was necessary to say…and he did not confess it in the past.

Should have read:

unless he is both certain it was a mortal sin or was necessary to say…and he is certain he did not confess it in the past…

(this is very much the classic advice often given them…unless they are certain…)