Not being descriptive enough when confessing?

[followingtheway]

Imagine this situation. If a man calls his sister an idiot. He goes to confession, and he says “I insulted my sister” but doesn’t specify what he said, and the priest doesn’t ask him to elaborate. Is the confession still valid?

 

[105lynne]

I’ve often wondered this sort of thing, too. I usually try to keep it in general terms (uncharitable thoughts toward family member, impure thoughts, lost my temper, etc…), then if the priest asks for more details (which I can’t recall him doing but 2 or 3 times), I’ll oblige. Any time I’ve gone to confession, there are lots of people waiting, so I don’t want to take up so much time that someone else doesn’t get a chance to go. Whether it effects the validity of the confession to say things in more general terms, I don’t know. Hopefully someone else can give us more insight…

 

[ilySHJ]

This question has been on my mind, too!

Sins are to be confessed by name and number. In the past, the priests would almost always ask for more detail regarding mortal sins.

The confessors in this area don’t ask anything or offer any counsel. No lines, no one waiting. From beginning to end 3-4 minutes.

If the matter confessed is grave but there are extenuating circumstances which lesson my culpability, should I offer that info as well?

I’ve always had the idea that I would just bluntly state my sins to the priest without excuses, and if there was reason that perhaps lessened my responsibility or guilt then God knew. I’m not sure my thinking is correct.

 

[toastmachines]

This question has been on my mind, too!

Sins are to be confessed by name and number. In the past, the priests would almost always ask for more detail regarding mortal sins.

The confessors in this area don’t ask anything or offer any counsel. No lines, no one waiting. From beginning to end 3-4 minutes.

If the matter confessed is grave but there are extenuating circumstances which lesson my culpability, should I offer that info as well?

I’ve always had the idea that I would just bluntly state my sins to the priest without excuses, and if there was reason that perhaps lessened my responsibility or guilt then God knew. I’m not sure my thinking is correct.

I also have a habit of avoiding offering any details that lessen my culpability. I tend to tell myself “My Lord knows my heart and circumstances”. On the other hand, my Confessor may be able to guide me better if He does know of the circumstances and would definitely correct me if I got into the habit of justifying my crimes and treating the Confessional as a drive-thru to visit every week with the same sin.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

No. Insulting one’s sibling would only be venial anyways, unless it was something like “I hope you go to Hell” or something like that, which would be cursing your sibling and would be grave matter.

 

[thistle]

Imagine this situation. If a man calls his sister an idiot. He goes to confession, and he says “I insulted my sister” but doesn’t specify what he said, and the priest doesn’t ask him to elaborate. Is the confession still valid?

Your example is anyway not a mortal sin but when confessing mortal sins if the priest requires details he will ask. It doesn’t affect the validity of the Confession.
I have confessed to having had impure thoughts and the priest has never asked me to go into details.