Priest refused to let me finish confessing? What does this mean?

[felsguy]

I think what I would tell you is this. Know that God has forgiven you, but find yourself another priest and go to confession again, but this time, prepare before hand, write down your sins (or use some other means) and be ready and read them off. This will clear your conscious. I don’t think you would have written this post if you were not remorseful, but please know that God has already forgiven you of your sins.

:banghead:

 

[A_Augustinus]

Folks, you must realize that scrupulosity is a serious psychological disorder. Giving advice about it here is like you trying to give medical advice to someone over the internet. Unless you are trained to deal with it, very, very rarely is it ever helpful and in many, if not most instances, it actually may do harm, no matter how good your intentions are.

Consider for a moment. What would you say to someone seeking advice about a serious medical problem? What you should say is “find a doctor that you trust and follow his direction completely.”

Aeden, I understand that these are very real and difficult issues for you. Don’t get discouraged. Please find a priest that you trust and follow his direction completely. Looking for advice here on CAF is not the answer.

Praying that you will find peace of mind soon.

Thank you for this, felsguy. If a person has little experience with scrupulosity, it’s hard to understand how well-meaning and truthful advice could be harmful, but it certainly can be because those of us who struggle with scrupulosity frequently blow certain things out of proportion.

For example, a couple of people have recommended better preparation before confession. In my experience with scrupulosity, preparation for confession has been an agonizing process that yields little certainty. My scrupulosity has improved in recent years, but when I was in the midst of it, I could painstakingly analyze an action in minute detail and still not be certain about how sinful it was. My confessor a few years ago sensed this problem and encouraged me to be LESS diligent in preparing for confession, because of the agony I went through in trying to prepare.