Restitution

[srsly]

How do you make restitution to a store? What if I’m not sure what was taken anymore? Would it be a satisfactory restitution if money was mailed to the office of the store anonymously, or do they have to know what I did in order for the restitution to be valid. I was a teenager at the time and somehow reasoned that stealing from a big store didn’t matter too much. I also did my fair share of copying software, like movies, games, and music. Is it necessary to buy legit copies of the media I copied? I feel guilty about it all the time… any advice would be a big help.

 

[baltobetsy]

If you haven’t taken this to confession, do so immediately, ask your question about restitution, and do whatever the priest tells you.

If you have confessed it and been advised simply to “make restitution,” then, yes, you may mail the money to the offices of the store marked “conscience money.” They know what to do with it.

I’m less certain about what you should do about the software. I guess it would depend on whether you remembered all that you had downloaded, whether you still have and use it, etc.

In some cases, a gift to charity can suffice, if you are no longer able to restore what was lost to the original owner or seller - if they’re out of business, for example. This you must consult your confessor on, however. You should never take it upon yourself to do this.

Betsy

 

[Catholic1954]

This would be a good question to bring up with the priest at your next confession.

 

[Greg27]

In my view, restitution means if you have wrongly gained at the expense of someone else, you should restore in value what you have unjustly taken. There are many remedies in law for example which deal with such situations. A simple example is not paying someone who works for you their fair wage after they have worked for you, and performed their end of your mutual bargain. Justice simply demands you perform your part and honour your bargain. Alternately, if you damage or steal someone’s property freely and not under duress, you should return the stolen property or repay the rightful owner the full value of what it was you took.

In terms of violating someone’s intellectual property rights, there are complicated ways these can be infringed. You might infringe copyright or by passing off a trademark or by illicitly copying music or downloading material without paying for it. If you do this knowingly, I think fairness would demand you stop activities that unjustly violate the intellectual property rights of others and you pay the fair market price for legally obtaining such material. If you feel such laws are unjust then you should lobby your legislature to amend laws rather than breaking them on the pretence they are unfair.

 

[Newbie2]

If you haven’t taken this to confession, do so immediately, ask your question about restitution, and do whatever the priest tells you.

If you have confessed it and been advised simply to “make restitution,” then, yes, you may mail the money to the offices of the store marked “conscience money.” They know what to do with it.

I’m less certain about what you should do about the software. I guess it would depend on whether you remembered all that you had downloaded, whether you still have and use it, etc.

In some cases, a gift to charity can suffice, if you are no longer able to restore what was lost to the original owner or seller - if they’re out of business, for example. This you must consult your confessor on, however. You should never take it upon yourself to do this.

Betsy

I agree to some extent, except that one should never take it upon oneself to figure out the best way to make restitution, if that is what you mean, Betsy. Yes, definitely consult a confessor, but one may get back a answer that is not specific on how much to pay back and specifically to whom.

I would think that in the case of downloading software, music, etc., that purchasing what you got for free would suffice. As far as restitution to a store, make your best guess and include a note, or go right to the manager with cash. Be prepared for him or her fainting dead away, though! My guess is that such would be a shock to them.

Another option would be, as Betsy said, a contribution to charity. Best to do the legwork yourself…find a charity that needs supplies, go and buy them some, and take them to that charity, rather than just writing a check.

But by all means, confess it, make resitution, and put it behind you.

 

[baltobetsy]

I agree to some extent, except that one should never take it upon oneself to figure out the best way to make restitution, if that is what you mean, Betsy.

What I meant is that one should not simply decide that a gift to charity will suffice in place of restitution to the injured party. Justice demands that we restore the property of the other if at all possible, and it’s very tempting to take the easy way out and contribute to charity instead. This is what I was saying one should not decide without consulting a confessor. There are many factors to consider, including maintaining anonymity, which are best addressed by one’s confessor.

Betsy

 

[Newbie2]

What I meant is that one should not simply decide that a gift to charity will suffice in place of restitution to the injured party. Justice demands that we restore the property of the other if at all possible, and it’s very tempting to take the easy way out and contribute to charity instead. This is what I was saying one should not decide without consulting a confessor. There are many factors to consider, including maintaining anonymity, which are best addressed by one’s confessor.

Betsy

I agree.