Peculiar statement from a Priest

[Tighty_Whitey]

While attending my daughter’s first evening of instruction on the Sacrament of Reconcilliation, the Priest made a peculiar statement during the session attended only by parents. The Priest stated that he does not believe that someone can sin by having an impure thought. There were many other statements that I felt were definitely “fringe”, for lack of a better term.

Somehow, when this Priest was done with his talk, I felt the need to go to confession, not because I drawn closer to the sacrament by what this Priest had said, but rather by feeling sullied.

So my immediate question is: Can someone sin by having an impure thought?

Also,is it okay to, or should I, ignore this Priest both now and into the future?

Peace, g.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Impure thoughts are sinful and should be confessed. If I were you I’d find an orthodox priest to instruct my children from now on.

 

[Acapiteadcalcem]

So my immediate question is: Can someone sin by having an impure thought?

Also,is it okay to, or should I, ignore this Priest both now and into the future?

Peace, g.

Absolutely we can sin in thought, especially in impure thoughts: Matt 5:28, “Whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

St Thomas also teaches us that sins can be either interior or exterior, and that the virtues and vices are practiced both in thought and deed.

I would personally give the priest the benefit of the doubt about what he meant, and talk to him about it. Ask him to clarify what he meant; he may have been speaking about the role of intention, and his words may have been a bit muddled (he’s human). Our priests need our support, and sometimes our gentle and charitable correction, too!

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

While attending my daughter’s first evening of instruction on the Sacrament of Reconcilliation, the Priest made a peculiar statement during the session attended only by parents. The Priest stated that he does not believe that someone can sin by having an impure thought. There were many other statements that I felt were definitely “fringe”, for lack of a better term.

Somehow, when this Priest was done with his talk, I felt the need to go to confession, not because I drawn closer to the sacrament by what this Priest had said, but rather by feeling sullied.

So my immediate question is: Can someone sin by having an impure thought?

Also,is it okay to, or should I, ignore this Priest both now and into the future?

Peace, g.

yes, you can sin by thoughts, but it requires a few things. First if it is an accidental thought that is immediately “put away” then no, it is not a sin. If it is an accidental thought that you give some consent to it would be a venial sin. Accidental thought, full consent still sinful, Intentional thought, full consent would be mortal (or at least that is how I have heard it put forth by a few wonderful priests). The moral is yes, if you dont immediately work to remove that thought from your mind. If you have thoughts of stealing, apostatizing, lust, etc. and dwell on them then that is where it becomes sinful. The devil will kindof prod you to think of these things at times by bringing up memories or emotions but if you fight them you are ok.

And no, you dont get to ignore the priest. He is still a priest and deserves respect and obedience where his teachings follow the Church. I have known some bad ones too who were likely to tell you that this and that were not sins when the catechism clearly states that they are, so I just confess what I know to be sin in my life, accept my penance, and rest in the knowledge that I am absolved of my sins.

FSC

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

Absolutely we can sin in thought, especially in impure thoughts: Matt 5:28, “Whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

St Thomas also teaches us that sins can be either interior or exterior, and that the virtues and vices are practiced both in thought and deed.

I would personally give the priest the benefit of the doubt about what he meant, and talk to him about it. Ask him to clarify what he meant; he may have been speaking about the role of intention, and his words may have been a bit muddled (he’s human). Our priests need our support, and sometimes our gentle and charitable correction, too!

This ^ is wonderful advice as well.

 

[nickybr38]

We say this in Mass:

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Case closed. We can sin in thought.

 

[JRKH]

by “having” an impure thought" is unclear and confusing. Scripture is clear that we can sin in out thinking which is quite different.
Random thoughts are not sinful. thoughts called up, encouraged, etc certainly CAN be sinful…

Peace
James

 

[nickybr38]

by “having” an impure thought" is unclear and confusing. Scripture is clear that we can sin in out thinking which is quite different.
Random thoughts are not sinful. thoughts called up, encouraged, etc certainly CAN be sinful…

Peace
James

Good point. I assume everyone is thinking in those terms but it would be worth clarifying with the priest in question to see what kind of thoughts he was referring to.

 

[jhynds]

Our fallen human nature ensures that we will have aberrant thoughts. It should always be our goal to immediately push these aside, with conscious effort, through prayer and other Holy means.
To quote Dennis Prager - “Our Character is the difference between our first thought and our second”.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

… the Priest made a peculiar statement during the session attended only by parents. The Priest stated that he does not believe that someone can sin by having an impure thought. … Can someone sin by having an impure thought?

Also,is it okay to, or should I, ignore this Priest both now and into the future?

Peace, g.

Couple of things

1. His belief does not prevent the confession so it remains the penitents decision
2. The priest is probably vaguely referring to a lack of commitment ( act must be a sin, penitents knowledge of the sin, commitment to action) it is critical to understand entertaining a thought is not a commitment to action. The penitent has to decide if they were committed to the thought or not and that is probably the priest’s communication.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

Many thanks for the thoughtful and conscientitous responses. I feel very blessed. Peace, g.

 

[puzzleannie]

was he speaking to and about adults, or about children of the age for first confession, about 7? He may have meant it is hard for young children to have what teens and adults confess as “impure thoughts”. Without having heard the entire presentation and context, and knowing how this priest preaches and acts in general, I cannot comment. How did he qualify the remark? Was he speaking of fleeting thoughts that come and go, or of deliberate entertainment of lustful fantasies, for instance.

 

[JRKH]

was he speaking to and about adults, or about children of the age for first confession, about 7? He may have meant it is hard for young children to have what teens and adults confess as “impure thoughts”. Without having heard the entire presentation and context, and knowing how this priest preaches and acts in general, I cannot comment. How did he qualify the remark? Was he speaking of fleeting thoughts that come and go, or of deliberate entertainment of lustful fantasies, for instance.