Overstating sins at confession?

[KingAlfred]

What is too often in your book? Aren’t you addressing the overly scrupulous and not the pious? I love being able to go to confession weekly or bi-weekly. I go to celebrate the mercy of God. Would it be too much in your book? I hear what you’re saying about Luther but he had his problems and I have mine.

Only the individual knows. I know that if I dwelled on all the bad stuff I’ve done across the vast expanse of 51 years, I’d be in confession for my entire 52nd year. I guess I draw the line at obsessing over sins committed within a somewhat average range. It isn’t healthy. If someone is venting his or her spleen every weekend, when he or she leads a fairly ‘normal’ life, I’d say that’s a bit too much and probably indicative of serious emotional issues.

 

[Coder]

Is it a sin to “overstate” a sin at confession?

It sounds like you are trying to cover your bases. It’s a bit legalistic. I think I’ve been a bit like that also. Remember that God is Our Father.

Best to you!

 

[DL82]

I guess I draw the line at obsessing over sins committed within a somewhat average range. It isn’t healthy.

I think you need to be a little more careful about your conscience.

I suppose it depends what you mean by ‘average’ range. What is average for secular society, or even for many nominal Catholics today, is far from the perfection of God’s kingdom, and we are told to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

What was ‘average’ for the average practicing Catholic across the 2000 years of Church history is another matter, and St Thomas Aquinas warns us not to obsess over such matters as frivolous speech, excessive laughter and the like.

I’d say a sin like ogling a woman’s legs or her breasts, while ‘average’ in today’s society, would have outraged our Lord and His disciples, and that hasn’t changed. Repent, aim for the righteousness of God, trusting in His grace. Because He has made that possible for us by His grace, and He will be happy with nothing less from us. What’s more, we will be eternally happy with nothing less.

 

[ComputerGeek25]

Is it a sin to “overstate” a sin at confession? For example, if you confessed that you read pornographic materials, but what you read was not truly pornographic in nature (but was relatively suggestive), did you just lie?

No, you confessed your sins in the best way you could. God knows what you meant, as long as you hold nothing back.

 

[mullenpm]

If one goes to Confession every week with no mortal sins to confess; and, perhaps, no venial sins, what does one say to the Priest?

I have read about a Pope (can’t remember which one, but a recent one) who confessed every day. What could he possibly have said to his confessor?

I certainly don’t want to make up things to say, just to say something.

 

[Marc_Aupiais]

Say, I cannot remember any recent sins, but I understand I am sinful and confess my weakness, or say past sins.

You must of course be sorrowful, even without knowing sins, truly allow sorrow to enter you. There is no forgiveness without sorrow, but then again, Joan of Ark did it daily. I don’t always or too often do it. I did it once a week 'till my priest suggested I cool down.

In any case, I still can always know of confession.