Masturbation and the Circumstances that make One Less Culpable

[Wolves]

2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. ‘Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.’[137] ‘The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.’ For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of ‘the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.’[138]
"To form an equitable judgment about the subjects’ moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety, or other psychological or social factors that lessen or even extenuate moral culpability.

At the end of this quote from the Catechism it lists several factors that reduce the culpability from someone who may have masturbated. I almost wish that this sentence wasn’t in the Catechism since it only gives me a reason to weasel my way out of Confessing it. I have a serious problem with Confessing sins of a sexual nature (but not other kinds of mortal sins).

I need help understanding how the circumstances apply. Does the existence of one of them automatically make the sin venial? Would the “affective immaturity” one apply to me, a 14 year old? How can I tell?

 

[LilyM]

At the end of this quote from the Catechism it lists several factors that reduce the culpability from someone who may have masturbated. I almost wish that this sentence wasn’t in the Catechism since it only gives me a reason to weasel my way out of Confessing it. I have a serious problem with Confessing sins of a sexual nature (but not other kinds of mortal sins).

First things first - confession is not just for mortal sins. In fact it is also very helpful in venial sins that may be troubling you - those which are frequent and habitual, as this one appears to be. Or even what are called ‘imperfections’ - character flaws which aren’t in themselves sinful. So take it to confession regardless.

Secondly, please realise this particular sin would have to be one of the most commonly confessed of all sins. It will not in any way shock or horrify your priest - in fact chances are you won’t even be the first or last person during that half-hour who will have confessed it.

Please also remember that your priest has been a teenage boy himself, and also has been on the other side of the confessional screen. So he knows what you’re going through. His job in the sacrament is to administer God’s mercy - so he’s unlikely to be harsh in any way.

I need help understanding how the circumstances apply. Does the existence of one of them automatically make the sin venial? Would the “affective immaturity” one apply to me, a 14 year old? How can I tell?

No, the existence of one of the factors doesn’t automatically make the sin a venial one. Lessening culpability doesn’t automatically mean it’s removed to the extent that the sin is venial. These factors are just one part of what needs to be taken into account in determining whether it is venial in your case.

How can you tell? When in doubt, seek the advice of your priest! That’s part of the reason WHY the sacrament exists, so that priests can advise you based on your individual circumstances in these gray areas.

 

[lilred5]

Well, seeing as you have asked this question I would guess that you are mature enough for the whole “affective immaturity” to not apply to you.
Are you embarrassed about confessing this to your priest? It seems like you are finding excuses not to.
Well, if you are, don’t be. I used to struggle with that as well and confession was the single most helpful thing for me to quit. It really brings to perspective exactly what you are doing to yourself and helps you find the strength to stop.
Ask your priest!!, talk to your religion ed teacher (after class if you want) if they will talk to the priest about it if you are scared to, or talk to a member on a retreat team (if you have retreats).
Even if it was a venial sin, venial sins are still recommended for confession.

Idk if this would be helpful to your question or not.
catholicqanda.org/FAQ_Library/Sexual_Morality/Masturbation2.htm

ps - If you ever need advice on this topic (the topic in general), just private message me, I’ll be glad to talk to you about it.

 

[preV2tradcath]

I would get the courage to talk to the priest about it. There are sins that I confess and,even if they are venial, it is hard for me to do so. However, I find the more I confess them, the less I tend to commit them between confessions. Eventually, with the help of God, I won’t do them anymore.
I also try to go to confession weekly. Even if you don’t go that often, try to go at least twice a month. But even better, again talk to the priest and see what he would recommend for the frequency of your confessions. Maybe once a month would be right for you.

 

[phoenix3212]

At the end of this quote from the Catechism it lists several factors that reduce the culpability from someone who may have masturbated. I almost wish that this sentence wasn’t in the Catechism since it only gives me a reason to weasel my way out of Confessing it. I have a serious problem with Confessing sins of a sexual nature (but not other kinds of mortal sins).

I need help understanding how the circumstances apply. Does the existence of one of them automatically make the sin venial? Would the “affective immaturity” one apply to me, a 14 year old? How can I tell?

Just confess. I’m around your age, 15, and well, you have to fess up to your sins someday. It’s kind of easy when you’re in the confessional yourself–just force yourself to blurt it out. He won’t be surprised or anything. You’ve just told us, so it can’t be that bad, right?

When I went to confession earlier this week, the priest told me something I thought was very moving. He said that you start building your future marriage now, and that keeping chaste will bring you closer to Christ and allow you to develop faithfulness to your future spouse, even if you haven’t met him or her yet. When you slip up, just go back to Confession and try again. In the end, it’ll be worth it

 

[RCSeminarian]

It is important to talk to your priest about this because he can help you further understand it.

As far as confession, you must confess all of you sins at the time of confession. With holding a sin purposely makes the sacrament invalid.

Catechism of the Catholic Church Article 1456 "When Christ’s faithful strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon. But those who fail to do so and knowingly withhold some, place nothing before the divine goodness for remission through the mediation of the priest, “for if the sick person is too ashamed to show his wound to the doctor, the medicine cannot heal what it does not know.”

You can find great healing if you just present it. Remember, that anything you say in confession the priest can not even hint to it ever again unless you bring it up. He can not look at you different, he can not talk to you about it, he can not follow up with it, after confession is done with it is done with.

Pray for courage and go speak to your priest.

Peace!
RCSeminarian

 

[06convert]

Your understanding, knowledge, and self control determines your culpability. Are you a reasonably balanced individual without any severe emotional, or intellectual damage? Do you have some sort of self control? If so, there is no wiggle room. Your accountable 100%.