Parents

[Tennis42]

My parents are kind of cafeteria Catholics. They don’t believe in the cocept of mortal sin, and they tell me that I don’t need to go to Confession, and that I can just pray for forgiveness. I can get them to take me to Confession about once every 3 or 4 months, but any more frequent than that and they think I’m overreacting. I can be scrupulous, but there are times where I might’ve committed a mortal sin, and I just want to go to Confession because of how stressed I can get over it. What should I do about this? I’ve tried talking to them, and that doesn’t work. Can i just make an Act of Contrition until the next time they’ll take me?

 

[GratefulFred]

Always pray for an increase in Faith and Wisdom both for you and your parents. God can solve issues we do not know how to solve ourselves.

Call you local Priest and discuss your concerns with him. He should be able to advise you.

Meanwhile, I commend you for your dilligence in wanting to receive the Sacrament of Reconcilation regularly.

 

[JackVk]

Pray for them and love them. That’s all you can do. I am facing a very similar situation. My Cafeteria Mom also told me I don’t need to go to confession. Just remember that only God can change them and you cannot be their savior. By loving God and loving them, you will bring them back.

Peace.

 

[timeandeternity]

I’d like to second what the others said–pray for your parents and continue to love them. Do not be discouraged–some of the greatest saints had “cafeteria Catholic” parents! (St. Thomas Aquinas is a great example.)
Is your church too far to walk or bike to? If not, consider asking your parents permission to head to the church every other Saturday. I can’t tell from your posts whether they will be likely to give you that permission, but if so, it might be a good option.
Whenever you have time, call your church and talk to your parish priest. Like I said the other day, you can’t go this alone; ideally, your parents would be helping you, but it doesn’t look like that’s the case. It might even be the case that your priest would be able to talk to your parents much more convincingly than you have been able to. Please let us know when you’ve talked to him!