Obedience to one's confessor vs disobedience?

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PraiseChrist

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Hi,

It is a highly recommended advice by the Church for scrupulous people to follow their confessors blindly (exactly, absolutely zero exceptions), as long as the confessor is holy and knows the Faith well.

But what should a scrupulous person do if the best confessor in their reach tells them to do something that they’re sure the Church forbids?
 
If he’s telling you to do something the Church forbids, then he’s wrong and you shouldn’t do it.
 
Bill_Martin said:
If he’s telling you to do something the Church forbids, then he’s wrong and you shouldn’t do it.
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It’s not that black-and-white, because this is the scrupulous we’re talking about. For people of normal, healthy conscience, yes. For the scrupulous, this kind of answer may be damaging. Because there are times when the scrupulous are “sure” something is sinful when in fact it isn’t.

When we talk about the scrupulous being obedient, it’s always noted that the obedience is owed to a *trusted *confessor. If the scrupulous person has his doubts about a particular confessor or he cannot bring himself to obey his confessor due to something clearly wrong, then he is not a *trusted *confessor, and the penitent must work to establish a trust relationship with one. Once that trust is established, then he must place his conscience completely in that confessor’s hands, and that includes obedience. Trust is essential. Once done, obedience must follow.

He must do this because his conscience is malfunctioning, and cannot be relied upon to be “sure” about what’s sinful or not.
 
PraiseChrist said:
Hi,

It is a highly recommended advice by the Church for scrupulous people to follow their confessors blindly (exactly, absolutely zero exceptions), as long as the confessor is holy and knows the Faith well.

But what should a scrupulous person do if the best confessor in their reach tells them to do something that they’re sure the Church forbids?
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What would a confessor possibly tell you to do that the Church forbids?
 
1ke said:
What would a confessor possibly tell you to do that the Church forbids?
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That too.

I hardly think a confessor would say “go ahead and masturbate” or “go ahead and watch porn.”

That’s why I would always presume the confessor is faithful, and therefore if he says, “that is not a sin”, believe him.
 
Actually, a real life example was a priest telling me to not confess forgotten mortal sins. But I know that the Church requires all mortal sins
 
PraiseChrist said:
Actually, a real life example was a priest telling me to not confess forgotten mortal sins. But I know that the Church requires all mortal sins
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I am sure there is more to this story than you convey.

Scrupulosity is a sickness. It is an OCD/anxiety disorder. It needs professional help.

It is not rational.
 
Thank you for the answers…

But does scruples need someone like a therapist? There were many who got rid of scruples before modern psychology. (and at a cheaper price)
 
PraiseChrist said:
Actually, a real life example was a priest telling me to not confess forgotten mortal sins. But I know that the Church requires all mortal sins
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I’ve had this, and I keep insisting on confessing them, anyway.
 
PraiseChrist said:
Hi,

It is a highly recommended advice by the Church for scrupulous people to follow their confessors blindly (exactly, absolutely zero exceptions), as long as the confessor is holy and knows the Faith well.

But what should a scrupulous person do if the best confessor in their reach tells them to do something that they’re sure the Church forbids?
Click to expand...
First: You are not hearing a confessor, you are hearing Christ. Second: Doubt yourself first.
 
PraiseChrist said:
Actually, a real life example was a priest telling me to not confess forgotten mortal sins.
Click to expand...
I doubt that that is actually what your confessor said. He more likely said/meant that the scrupulous should not dwell on past confessions and possible sins. Accept the validity of Christ’s sacrament and of the absolution granted.

(If you actually remembered some grave sin that you committed years ago that you never confessed, you should, of course, mention it in confession.)
 
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