Question on Reconciliation / Confession

[crazy_in_sd]

I need to gather some thoughts about this as it relates to my relatives. A person has knowingly committed a mortal sin, with full understanding of the church teaching on the matter. He goes to confession, confesses the sin and is absolved by the priest. However he does not truly regret the sin and would not change his past actions and likely repeat them if he ‘could go back in time’.

What is his standing in regards to this? Is it he guilty of the sin of presumption?. Is he absolved of this sin? Is he guilty of any other sins for not making an honest confession?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

crazy_in_sd:

I need to gather some thoughts about this as it relates to my relatives. A person has knowingly committed a mortal sin, with full understanding of the church teaching on the matter. He goes to confession, confesses the sin and is absolved by the priest. However he does not truly regret the sin and would not change his past actions and likely repeat them if he ‘could go back in time’.

What is his standing in regards to this? Is it he guilty of the sin of presumption?. Is he absolved of this sin? Is he guilty of any other sins for not making an honest confession?

That is between him and God. Personally I believe it is very poor judgment to think one can “pull one over” on God.

 

[hurst]

crazy_in_sd:

However he does not truly regret the sin and would not change his past actions and likely repeat them if he ‘could go back in time’.

What is his standing in regards to this? Is it he guilty of the sin of presumption?. Is he absolved of this sin? Is he guilty of any other sins for not making an honest confession?

For sin to be forgiven, one must have contrition, even if it is only partial. Without contrition, we do not benefit from the absolution.

If he actually intended to do it again, then he made a bad confession, and is still in the state of mortal sin. If he lied to the Holy Spirit, then he committed an additional sin of sacrilege. If he believes he can both enjoy sin and also forgiveness, then he presumes God’s mercy.

But when you say “likely will not change”, that does not imply ill-will. We can intend to not repeat something, but still be “likely” to do it again…

hurst

 

[crazy_in_sd]

OK, let me clarify a bit. This is something I come by all too often with relatives and men in my parish. In reference to my relative, the sin is having a vasectomy. He is not remorsefull about this in the least bit, confessed the sin several years ago, and would not changed the past action, even if he could. What do you say to him?

What really bothers me is that he is an Extraordinary Minister in his parish, and it is no secret among our family that he had this done.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

crazy_in_sd:

OK, let me clarify a bit. This is something I come by all too often with relatives and men in my parish. In reference to my relative, the sin is having a vasectomy. He is not remorsefull about this in the least bit, confessed the sin several years ago, and would not changed the past action, even if he could. What do you say to him?

What really bothers me is that he is an Extraordinary Minister in his parish, and it is no secret among our family that he had this done.

I would say it would be better to be sorry for the action now than later in purgatory or some other place.

 

[hurst]

crazy_in_sd:

He is not remorsefull about this in the least bit, confessed the sin several years ago, and would not changed the past action, even if he could. What do you say to him?

The way you put it, he has no pardon. We must all grieve for our sins until we die, and be willing to put up with the consequences thereof.

Without contrition in the first place, we have no pardon. If we change our mind about it, then we commit a new sin of ingratitude, and the penalties from the past sin sort of redound upon us. This is specified by doctors of the Church like Augustine and documents like the Summa.

crazy_in_sd:

What really bothers me is that he is an Extraordinary Minister in his parish, and it is no secret among our family that he had this done.

I don’t know how you can be so sure he is not penitent about it. Does he openly regret confessing it, and denies there is anything wrong about it? If so, then he definitely has fallen from grace. Tell him his soul is in danger. Go to a priest about this if it is blatant and he persists. But again, how can you tell?

Meanwhile, even with a person you know to be in mortal sin, love them as a treasure because Christ paid dearly for them whether they love Him or not. “Bear with one another in love”

Ephesians 4:2 With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.

2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not esteem him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

It is a spiritual work of mercy to admonish the sinner and instruct the ignorant.

hurst

 

[puzzleannie]

crazy_in_sd:

He is not remorsefull about this in the least bit, confessed the sin several years ago, and would not changed the past action, even if he could. What do you say to him?

e.

you don’t say anything, it is between him and the priest. you do not spend time speculating about the sins of another person, and you put the most charitable possible construction on what you think you know or observe about the person. If you wish to make a positive impression on such a person, you teach by example and make sure you are living your own life uprightly and observing the commandments.