Question about Confession

[Questioner28]

When confessing is it necessary to be specific about a sin if the priest doesn’t ask ? Is it okay to be genera in confessing sins ?
For example instead of saying “I was ill-behaved towards so and so” could you just say “I have been rude in my actions towards others” ?
That way instead of confessing each instance of said sin it can be covered in one statement.

Is this wrong ?
I’m nervous about setting up an appointment to confess so I was wondering if it were possible to confess under generalized statements. I thought that that could lessen the length of my confession thus making it possible to confess when confession is available for everybody.

 

[Diamond_Dust]

When confessing is it necessary to be specific about a sin if the priest doesn’t ask ? Is it okay to be genera in confessing sins ?
For example instead of saying “I was ill-behaved towards so and so” could you just say “I have been rude in my actions towards others” ?
That way instead of confessing each instance of said sin it can be covered in one statement.

Is this wrong ?
I’m nervous about setting up an appointment to confess so I was wondering if it were possible to confess under generalized statements. I thought that that could lessen the length of my confession thus making it possible to confess when confession is available for everybody.

If you feel that it is wrong to do, then you shouldn’t do it regardless of the opinion of others. Remember that the apostles said not to be a stumbling block for those with a weaker conscience. If “you” feel this is wrong, then you should explain to the priest in precise detail what you have done as to not burn yourself.

 

[Questioner28]

@Diamond_Dust
Thank you for your response. I want to be sure that if I do decide to confess it is done properly. Your advice is appreciated.

 

[St_Francis]

One is to confess one’s sins in number and kind, and include aggravating (aspects which increase your sinfulness) factors. If you do not know the exact or approximate number, you can estimate or give a daily/weekly/etc count. You do not have to mention anyone’s name, but sometimes their position in your life may be an aggravating factor, so arguing with strangers is bad, but with your parents is worse.

For example, I argued with a lot of people–maybe 10 times a week for a year.

I argued with my parents (worse!) about 3 times a week.

I shoplifted 4 times. I snuck into an R-rated movie twice, once was when my parents forbade me from seeing that movie.

And so on.

 

[Warandpeace]

Often it is impossible to be specific. I don’t have the time and the priest doesn’t have the time to hear all my venial sins in exact detail. I would get a complex if I tried to remember all the times I was rude to someone.

 

[Richard_White]

If the sin is more grievous, then I would say to be more specific. If not, then, it depends on what you think. I believe that the examples you gave were fine, as long a sthe real sin your are alluding to isn’t much more serious than that.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you, and may God bless you!

 

[Bookcat]

When confessing is it necessary to be specific about a sin if the priest doesn’t ask ? Is it okay to be genera in confessing sins ?
For example instead of saying “I was ill-behaved towards so and so” could you just say “I have been rude in my actions towards others” ?
That way instead of confessing each instance of said sin it can be covered in one statement.

Is this wrong ?
I’m nervous about setting up an appointment to confess so I was wondering if it were possible to confess under generalized statements. I thought that that could lessen the length of my confession thus making it possible to confess when confession is available for everybody.

With venial sins - yes- one may be “general”. And there need not be any numbers (like for venial arguing, venial anger, venial lying etc it need not be in number)

With mortal sins one must give number and kind (and that which changes the kind -like it was a Church you burned down - and thus a sacrilege).

I accuse myself of fornication 2x, murder 2x, and I burned down a Church.

One may approximate if one does not know from ones examine how many times - approximate according to what one knows “around 3X” “around 1-2 a week for the last 3 years” or even if need be “a few times” “many times”

 

[Joe_5859]

For mortal sins, we are required to confess them in both number and kind. We are not obligated to confess venial sins, but it is a good spiritual practice nonetheless.

Obviously, it is impossible to paint every sin in extreme detail. That is not necessary. What I try to keep in mind, though, is to simply be aware of when a generalization might change the meaning of what I’m confessing.

I don’t think you need to list every person you were rude towards by name. But I probably would clarify whether I was rude to family, friends, or random people on the street (or all of the above).

But don’t sweat it too much. If you are unsure, just ask the priest for guidance. That’s what he’s there for.

 

[Bookcat]

One is to confess one’s sins in number and kind, and include aggravating (aspects which increase your sinfulness) factors. If you do not know the exact or approximate number, you can estimate or give a daily/weekly/etc count. You do not have to mention anyone’s name, but sometimes their position in your life may be an aggravating factor, so arguing with strangers is bad, but with your parents is worse.

For example, I argued with a lot of people–maybe 10 times a week for a year.

I argued with my parents (worse!) about 3 times a week.

I shoplifted 4 times. I snuck into an R-rated movie twice, once was when my parents forbade me from seeing that movie.

And so on.

See my post to follow…

 

[Bookcat]

When confessing is it necessary to be specific about a sin if the priest doesn’t ask ? Is it okay to be genera in confessing sins ?
For example instead of saying “I was ill-behaved towards so and so” could you just say “I have been rude in my actions towards others” ?
That way instead of confessing each instance of said sin it can be covered in one statement.

Is this wrong ?
I’m nervous about setting up an appointment to confess so I was wondering if it were possible to confess under generalized statements. I thought that that could lessen the length of my confession thus making it possible to confess when confession is available for everybody.

With venial sins - yes- one may be “general”.

And there need not be any numbers (like for venial arguing, venial anger, venial lying etc it need not be in number)

With mortal sins one must give number and kind (and that which changes the kind -like it was a Church you burned down - and thus a sacrilege).

I accuse myself of fornication 2x, murder 2x, and I burned down a Church.

One may approximate if one does not know from ones examine how many times - approximate according to what one knows “around 3X” “around 1-2 a week for the last 3 years” or even if need be “a few times” “many times”.

Avoid any unnecessary detail usually. More on the “brief” side of things.

Jimmy Akin of CA jimmyakin.com/2007/03/specific_confes.html

 

[Sunbreak]

As other posters have said - it depends on what it is. If the detail would clarify how serious the sin is, include the detail. For example, stealing a dollar from someone who had very little money is a lot different than stealing a dollar from someone who has millions. Saying you have been ill-behaved can be vague - what is it you did exactly? It makes a difference if, for example, the ill behavior is yelling at a helpless young child or just a simple quick argument with an adult that didnt cause any hard feelings.