Obligation to confess forgotten sins

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If a penitent forgets a mortal sin during a confession, but makes an honest confession addressing all mortal sins remembered, it is my understanding that they are forgiven for all sins and reenter a state of grace.

I have also read that if after the confession the penitent remember a mortal sin, they remain in a state of grace but should confess it at their next confession. Does that obligation constitute grave matter?

That is to say, if after a sincere confession, the penitent remembers a mortal sin, but then decides not to bring it up at their next confession, does that constitute grave matter? Are they opening themselves to reentering a state of mortal sin if they knowingly decide not to confess that (forgiven but unconfessed) sin?
 
Good question! I don’t know if it’s grave matter to not confess a forgotten mortal sin at your next confession, but the Church asks us to and that should be enough motivation. I know grave sins can be quite humbling at times, but they need to be given to God in confession and absolved by the priest. They’ve heard everything. Don’t be nervous. :hug1:
 
Interesting question. I think it might be best to ask a priest this question, but I do know in one of the examination of conscience that I use, it asks “have you hidden a serious sin or lied to the priest in confession”. Later it also asks “Have I ever deliberately told a lie or withheld a mortal sin from the priest in confession” These was listed under the 1st Commandment. Based upon these, I would say that is a grave matter (but I am not a priest so I may be wrong).

God bless you,

John
 

For one thing remember there is a difference between what a person knowingly and deliberately does and what they mistakenly do without knowledge.​

Jimmy Akin -Senior Apologist of Catholic Answers:

“You are forgiven if you meant to confess all your mortal sins and just forgot one. Having been forgiven of the one you forgot, you are still* obligated* to confess it the next time you go to confession. It’s not that your forgiveness of it is conditional on you adopting the intention to confess it next time. That sin has already been forgiven. It’s that you incur a new sin if you refuse to adopt the intention of confessing it.”

jimmyakin.com/2006/09/a_reader_writes_1.html

Yes one is obligated to confess a forgotten but now remembered mortal sin in the next confession. We are obliged to confess all mortals sins - to knowingly hold one back deliberately without an excusing reason (moral or physical impossibility) renders the confession invalid and can be a new mortal sin (and that too would be confessed along with that mortal sin that was withheld and any others confessed then- when one returns to the sacrament).

(Now lets say the person is scrupulous - well the need special direction from their regular confessor - they can be in a rather different boat. For they can start to scruple here. What has often been told them by their regular confessor is that not to confess a forgotten mortal sin that comes to mind unless it is both true that 1. they are certain was not confessed as it ought and 2. certain it was indeed mortal. Such might be given to a particular penitent who struggles with scruples by their confessor - the confessor will know how best to direct his particular penitent with scruples.)
 
Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI (emp added)

304. Which sins must be confessed?

1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.

Remember too in order to commit a mortal sin one needs all three aspects at the same time:

395. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

396. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
 
Bookcat said:
Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI (emp added)

304. Which sins must be confessed?

1456
  • The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
]*

Just out of curiosity, are “extraordinary” ways to obtain forgiveness cited? Perfect contrition, perhaps, and maybe general absolution in time of imminent danger/death…but are there others?
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I’ve brought up past sins, and I’ve had 2 priests told me any previous sins I forgot to mention in confession are forgiven and NOT to confess them. My current priest is one who says not to confess them.
 
Neofight said:
Just out of curiosity, are “extraordinary” ways to obtain forgiveness cited? Perfect contrition, perhaps, and maybe general absolution in time of imminent danger/death…but are there others?
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Those would be the ways I would think of - one could include in addition I would think dying as a martyr for Christ.
 
ClearWater said:
I’ve brought up past sins, and I’ve had 2 priests told me any previous sins I forgot to mention in confession are forgiven and NOT to confess them. My current priest is one who says not to confess them.
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What I noted above is the case (see my two longer posts above).
 
ClearWater said:
I’ve brought up past sins, and I’ve had 2 priests told me any previous sins I forgot to mention in confession are forgiven and NOT to confess them. My current priest is one who says not to confess them.
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The old Baltimore Catechism was very clear on this (while previously cited documents are either the opinions of laypersons or else are not clear):
Q. 793. Is our Confession worthy if, without our fault, we forget to confess a mortal sin?
A. If without our fault we forget to confess a mortal sin, our Confession is worthy, and the sin is forgiven; but it must be told in Confession if it again comes to our mind.
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Of course, while the Baltimore Catechism was a local catechism, and while this norm may have been linked with now obsolete Canon Law—I do not know if that’s the case—I have not personally seen anything as authoritative which states the contrary. I have only seen the personal opinions of priests, and I’m sure I could find educated and holy priests on both sides of this question.

Should I personally ever forget to confess a mortal sin, I will certainly do so at my next opportunity. I would encourage others to do likewise (unless your own confessor has said otherwise).
 
Does no one teach “For these and all the sins of my past life, I am sorry” at the conclusion of one’s list?

We were always taught to do this fro this very scenario.

🤷
 
pianistclare said:
We were always taught to do this fro this very scenario.
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I’m sure that many generations of US Catholics were also taught to confess grave sins which were forgotten and not mentioned, since the Baltimore Catechism was very clear on this.
 
FonsBonitatis said:
I’m sure that many generations of US Catholics were also taught to confess grave sins which were forgotten and not mentioned, since the Baltimore Catechism was very clear on this.
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:rolleyes:
I was taught with the Baltimore Catechism. I wasn’t talking about mortal sins. I don’t think any one would even think that failing to confess a mortal sin is a good idea.
 
pianistclare said:
Does no one teach “For these and all the sins of my past life, I am sorry” at the conclusion of one’s list?

We were always taught to do this fro this very scenario.

🤷
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Yes that is a very good practice - but that does NOT mean that is not to confess the mortal sins if later remembered.

One is still* obliged* to confess them (forgotten mortal sins) in the normal way (number and kind) in the next confession if remembered. See my two longer posts above.
 
FonsBonitatis said:
Of course, while the Baltimore Catechism was a local catechism, and while this norm may have been linked with now obsolete Canon Law—I do not know if that’s the case—I have not personally seen anything as authoritative which states the contrary. I have only seen the personal opinions of priests, and I’m sure I could find educated and holy priests on both sides of this question.

Should I personally ever forget to confess a mortal sin, I will certainly do so at my next opportunity. I would encourage others to do likewise (unless your own confessor has said otherwise).
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No it is still an obligation.

This is not a matter open to differing opinions.

Just one example:

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI (emp added)
  1. Which sins must be confessed?
1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, *must *be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.

See my posts above - for fuller info - it is important to read the rest I wrote above.
 
Neofight said:
Its completely on topic.
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My point was that the sentence “We were always taught to do this for this very scenario” insinuates that the poster was speaking about forgotten mortal sins, since that’s the context of the thread. What other scenario could they have been referencing? To state that this sentence was actually referring to venial sins is certainly confusing. I actually wonder if the poster was simply responding to the thread title, rather than to the OP or any subsequent discussion. That would certainly explain things.
Bookcat said:
See my posts above for more.
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The Baltimore Catechism is good enough for me.

But anything I’ve seen other than the BC is an interpretation of either Canon Law or else a couple of sentences in the Compendium of the CCC. Nothing that you’ve quoted from the Church actually comes out and clearly states what you are arguing. You are simply interpreting them to insinuate your conclusion, which is actually several logical steps away from your quotations.

One can disagree with you, especially someone who is a well-formed priest.
 
FonsBonitatis said:
The Baltimore Catechism is good enough for me.

But anything I’ve seen other than the BC is an interpretation of either Canon Law or else a couple of sentences in the Compendium of the CCC. Nothing that you’ve quoted from the Church actually comes out and clearly states what you are arguing. You are simply interpreting them to insinuate your conclusion, which is actually several logical steps away from your quotations.

One can disagree with you, especially someone who is a well-formed priest.
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Such is simply the Teaching of the Church. Canon law notes it as does the Compendium and one can seek out all sorts of other documents and works of theology - such as commentaries on Canon Law etc that refer to this reality.

The Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI (emp added) is rather plain and straightforward. It is addressed to the normal lay person.
  1. Which sins **must **be confessed?
1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.

Canon Law will used more technical theological language like “individual and integral confession and absolution” (all mortal sins your conscious of) are the only ordinary means… and that faithful are “obiliged” to confess “all grave sins committed after baptism” that have “not yet been remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession” (988)

When a forgotten mortal sin is absolved in a good confession along with the rest - that is referred to in theology as being absolved “indirectly”. It still -if remembered- is to be confessed.

(see my posts above for case for example of those who scruple about these things - they can be in an exceptional boat -and should discuss with their confessor).
 
Try to confess mortal sins first so you don’t forget. Sometimes I start with venial sins then work my way up. It can be difficult to start confessions with the gravest sins.
 
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