RCIA and first confession

[prkwy]

Sorry to be a bother, but another question. I have a relative who is going through RCIA and he is going to be making his first confession. He asked me about some of the things he did in the past. It got me wondering, if he didn’t know it was a sin, or his church didn’t identify it as a sin, how can he have sinned? Therefore, how can he confess to it? Does this make sense?
Thanks

 

[Freshman88]

One does not have to know that it was sin in order to have committed that sin. Just like civil law, ignorance is not bliss.

Confess it, make amends, and welcome to the Church!

 

[LCMS_No_More]

One does not have to know that it was sin in order to have committed that sin. Just like civil law, ignorance is not bliss.

Confess it, make amends, and welcome to the Church!

That’s not what the Church teaches relative to mortal sin (mandatory confession). In order for a sin to be moral, it must have three elements:

1. Grave moral matter.
   2. Full knowledge
2. Consent of the will

If full knowledge of the fact that an action involves grave moral matter, it is NOT a mortal sin.

 

[Freshman88]

That’s not what the Church teaches relative to mortal sin (mandatory confession). In order for a sin to be moral, it must have three elements:

1. Grave moral matter.
   2. Full knowledge
2. Consent of the will

If full knowledge of the fact that an action involves grave moral matter, it is NOT a mortal sin.

Yes but I was talking about sin, and not specifically mortal sin.

 

[YADA]

Our priest tells the candidates that they:

will know what the ‘big’ sins are … they do not need help in listing them, analyzing them … those that are weighing on their consciences are those that need to be spoken of specifically…other sins [the lessors ones - venial] maybe listed in general terms … lying, using hurtful language with a loved one …

The act of confronting our faith life and embarking on a journey may bring the realization that actions we did not realize were sinful actually were sins … these can be confessed because once we become aware of them as sins we feel the sorrow [harm] for our actions have caused and we recognize the great gift that Jesus madeon the Cross for us in bearing our sins …

 

[LCMS_No_More]

Yes but I was talking about sin, and not specifically mortal sin.

Granted. Only mortal sins must be confessed in the context of Sacramental confession. One is, of course, encouraged to confess venial sins in confession, but not required to. IMO, for a first confession, it’s best to concentrate on the mortal sins as it’s hard enough to get through those.

Fortunately, while I had some major sins to confess at my first confession, it went quickly.

 

[markadm]

I would only give simple advice: that he should confess all things which he now knows to be sinful. The conscience serves a purpose; it tells us when things are/were wrong. He does not need to worry whether things are mortal or venial, and all the whys and wherefores; all he needs to do is make a sincere and contrite confession.

 

[jmcrae]

Sorry to be a bother, but another question. I have a relative who is going through RCIA and he is going to be making his first confession. He asked me about some of the things he did in the past. It got me wondering, if he didn’t know it was a sin, or his church didn’t identify it as a sin, how can he have sinned? Therefore, how can he confess to it? Does this make sense?
Thanks

In that case, it would not be a mortal sin, but it is still a sin, and thus, it is valid matter for the Confessional, and he can confess it. (And should, anyway. It is good for us to confess our venial sins, as well.)

At the top of his list should be everything that gives him that funny feeling in the stomach every time he thinks of it, and then, once those are gone, everything else.

Congratulations to your relative on his First Confession.