Question About Full Knowledge and Confession

[j1024]

Hello, sorry to bother but it would be greatly appreciated if someone could answer my question.

So of course we follow the ten commandments and you can’t use full knowledge against like not going to Church because you didn’t know it was bad or worshiping another god etc. But what if the mortal sin is something like gossip. Say for example that you gossiped about someone harshly but you didn’t know that it was detraction and was a mortal sin. Or something like envy. Could you use full knowledge as a defense that you didn’t know it was a mortal sin? Because I’m pretty sure everyone grew up with gossip but a lot of us didn’t know that was evil because we felt it was a norm. Also, the 10 commandments don’t specifically say about envy or gossip, but in the Bible it does. Is everyone supposed to have this knowledge?

Also, if it was a mortal sin and you went to confession but didn’t know about it at the time, would you still have to go back? For example, I just went to confession recently and I haven’t done anything like gossip but I know I used to (a lot), and know that I know its bad, would I still have to go back, or just mention it in my next confession.

Thanks so much and God Bless

 

[OxygenMan]

Hello, sorry to bother but it would be greatly appreciated if someone could answer my question.

So of course we follow the ten commandments and you can’t use full knowledge against like not going to Church because you didn’t know it was bad or worshiping another god etc. But what if the mortal sin is something like gossip. Say for example that you gossiped about someone harshly but you didn’t know that it was detraction and was a mortal sin. Or something like envy. Could you use full knowledge as a defense that you didn’t know it was a mortal sin? Because I’m pretty sure everyone grew up with gossip but a lot of us didn’t know that was evil because we felt it was a norm. Also, the 10 commandments don’t specifically say about envy or gossip, but in the Bible it does. Is everyone supposed to have this knowledge?

Also, if it was a mortal sin and you went to confession but didn’t know about it at the time, would you still have to go back? For example, I just went to confession recently and I haven’t done anything like gossip but I know I used to (a lot), and know that I know its bad, would I still have to go back, or just mention it in my next confession.

Thanks so much and God Bless

Sorry that I can’t answer the first part of your question, but I know about the second. If you go to confession and leave out a mortal sin, but remember it at a later date, you are definitely supposed to include it in your next confession.

 

[klm120861]

So of course we follow the ten commandments and you can’t use full knowledge against like not going to Church because you didn’t know it was bad or worshiping another god etc. But what if the mortal sin is something like gossip. Say for example that you gossiped about someone harshly but you didn’t know that it was detraction and was a mortal sin. Or something like envy. Could you use full knowledge as a defense that you didn’t know it was a mortal sin? Because I’m pretty sure everyone grew up with gossip but a lot of us didn’t know that was evil because we felt it was a norm. Also, the 10 commandments don’t specifically say about envy or gossip, but in the Bible it does. Is everyone supposed to have this knowledge?

That’s exactly what the “full knowledge” phrase is for. The enemy loves to keep us from receiving the Eucharist, so he will use any means necessary to see that happen. Including having us think things were mortal sin when we didn’t know they were mortal sin. Including not going to church. A lot of people simply don’t know it’s a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday.

That said, once you know something is a mortal sin, then if you do it, “full knowledge” comes into play. Also, just because you didn’t have “full knowledge” at the time, the sin is still serious, though venial, and therefore it is recommended that you confess it the next time you go to confession. And even if your gossip didn’t fall under the category of detraction (not all gossip does), still it would seem to be a venial sin that needs to be worked on. Confession is a great way to bring that into the light, lay it on table, and essentially say, “this is something I want to change”. It brings it to the forefront and you will find yourself beginning to think about what you say more and more - before you say it.
Kris

 

[knighttt]

A couple of things…Firstly SCRUPULOSITY is dangerous. How dangerous? Christendom split because of Martin Luther’s scruples. He never felt his confessions were good enough, devil enters in, and now 500 years later, designer store-front “churches” on any corner. For a sin to be be mortal IT HAS TO BE GRAVE, YOU HAVE TO KNOW IT’S WRONG, and YOU HAVE TO HAVE DELIBERATE CONSENT. Miss any of those and it’s not mortal. Also, make a good examination of conscience before confessing, but as long as you did not DELIBERATELY conceal a sin, you’re all good, and be at peace. God Bless!!!

 

[Bookcat]

Hello, sorry to bother but it would be greatly appreciated if someone could answer my question.

So of course we follow the ten commandments and you can’t use full knowledge against like not going to Church because you didn’t know it was bad or worshiping another god etc. But what if the mortal sin is something like gossip. Say for example that you gossiped about someone harshly but you didn’t know that it was detraction and was a mortal sin. Or something like envy. Could you use full knowledge as a defense that you didn’t know it was a mortal sin? Because I’m pretty sure everyone grew up with gossip but a lot of us didn’t know that was evil because we felt it was a norm. Also, the 10 commandments don’t specifically say about envy or gossip, but in the Bible it does. Is everyone supposed to have this knowledge?

Persons may be at different points in their conscience formation.

Are many things “knowable” via natural moral law? Yes
Does everyone always “know” such? --no

To commit a mortal sin one needs grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent.

“Full knowledge” does not mean that one has to have a theologians understanding or even a Catholic understanding.

A person can know quite well that murder is very serious --without ever hearing the Gospel.

 

[Bookcat]

1. In what does the natural moral law consist?

1954-1960
1978-1979

The natural law which is inscribed by the Creator on the heart of every person consists in a participation in the wisdom and the goodness of God. It expresses that original moral sense which enables one to discern by reason the good and the bad. It is universal and immutable and determines the basis of the duties and fundamental rights of the person as well as those of the human community and civil law.

1. Is such a law perceived by everyone?

1960

Because of sin the natural law is not always perceived nor is it recognized by everyone with equal clarity and immediacy.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[Bookcat]

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a8.htm#IV