Sin and diminished responsibility

[minkymurph]

I was brought up a JW and became a Catholic three years ago. First, I have a problem with confession in that I was diagnosed schitzo-effective. Any time I have gone to confession the priest has been very consoling. What I feel bad about is, do I make excuses for myself because of my schitzo-effectiveness, that it’s ok for me to smoke, drink too much on occassion and beheave sometimes in an onothodox fashion? I do believe it’s still sin and would confess it but I’m afraid of falling into the trap it’s ok cos God understands and feel bad because I continually commit the same sins though I don’t want to. I also feel bad because at the moment I cannot fully accept all Catholic doctrine, not because I want to refute it I just don’t understand it all. The only thing I’m absolutely sure of is the Creed. I know I believe that. In relation to other things, maybe again I’m making excuses for myself. I don’t have to accept it all yet because I’ve just become a Catholic and can’t be expected to know everything. Does all this mean I’m not a very good Catholic?

 

[baltobetsy]

Welcome to the Church, minkymurph!

To answer your first question, God knows you, your sins, your schizo-affective disorder and your motives better than you do. He judges perfectly every one of your actions. Sometimes your disease will make it more difficult for you to do the right thing. As long as you don’t surrender to these sins and stop trying to overcome them, you’re OK. The trouble comes when you say you may as well go ahead and commit your pet sins because of your problem. There’s a huge difference between trying and failing and not trying at all. When you try and fail, God knows exactly to what extent your disease prevented you from resisting the sin. Therefore, an action that for a totally healthy person might be a mortal sin, may be a venial sin for you in some cases. Just keep fighting.

For your second question, no you are not a bad Catholic because you don’t understand everything yet. What you can do is trust that the Church has it right (the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, remember), and accept without full understanding. Full understanding will come with time and study.

Betsy

 

[mosher]

I was brought up a JW and became a Catholic three years ago. First, I have a problem with confession in that I was diagnosed schitzo-effective. Any time I have gone to confession the priest has been very consoling. What I feel bad about is, do I make excuses for myself because of my schitzo-effectiveness, that it’s ok for me to smoke, drink too much on occassion and beheave sometimes in an onothodox fashion? I do believe it’s still sin and would confess it but I’m afraid of falling into the trap it’s ok cos God understands and feel bad because I continually commit the same sins though I don’t want to. I also feel bad because at the moment I cannot fully accept all Catholic doctrine, not because I want to refute it I just don’t understand it all. The only thing I’m absolutely sure of is the Creed. I know I believe that. In relation to other things, maybe again I’m making excuses for myself. I don’t have to accept it all yet because I’ve just become a Catholic and can’t be expected to know everything. Does all this mean I’m not a very good Catholic?

Continue to go to confession but always premise to the priest that you have this condition and that you don’t want to fall into using it as a crutch. This is a heavy dose of suffering that you have been given in this life. Use it to suffer for others. I can only suggest that perseverance in grace even when your culpability may be very low to non-existent is a good thing. At the very least you will be receiving the grace imparted in the sacrament. Keep up the good fight even though it may get to be tiring at times.

As you progress in the faith things will become clearer. Take the time to post questions to the Apologists and then if the answer is not sufficient come on the forums here and we will help you work through the issues of the Catholic Faith. Take the time to read and learn and search the topics here at Catholic Answers. The Library is excellent and the discussion can help build up your faith. I would also suggest a method of learning that I did when I was going through the learning process early in my conversion. Assume that you are wrong when you seem to have a disagreement with a teaching. If you do this you will be free to approach it with humility and it will become clear why the Church teaches as She does on the various topics.

Keep up the good fight.

 

[minkymurph]

Thanks to baltobetsy and mosher for your comforting replies. I always leave the confessional with a feeling of peace but I feel it’s a ritual. I don’t want to commit the same sins again but I know I invariably will which is what makes me feel bad in asking for forgiveness, how can I if I know I will do the same thing again and how can I confess to smoking, I’ve tried to kick the habit so many times until something goes wrong, when I know I’m going to go home and have a cigarette? I have not yet overcome the indoctrination of the JW’s and have come to the conclusion it may be a lifetime struggle. I’m going through all these things with my psychotherapist who was brought up Catholic and while I’ve made a lot of progress, the summit of the mountain is hard to reach. That’s how I feel about Catholic teaching. It’s not that I could disagree with it from a theological point of view but I feel God has set us this impossible standard.

 

[Damascus]

Thanks to baltobetsy and mosher for your comforting replies. I always leave the confessional with a feeling of peace but I feel it’s a ritual. I don’t want to commit the same sins again but I know I invariably will which is what makes me feel bad in asking for forgiveness, how can I if I know I will do the same thing again and how can I confess to smoking, I’ve tried to kick the habit so many times until something goes wrong, when I know I’m going to go home and have a cigarette? I have not yet overcome the indoctrination of the JW’s and have come to the conclusion it may be a lifetime struggle. I’m going through all these things with my psychotherapist who was brought up Catholic and while I’ve made a lot of progress, the summit of the mountain is hard to reach. That’s how I feel about Catholic teaching. It’s not that I could disagree with it from a theological point of view but I feel God has set us this impossible standard.

Smoking is not a mortal sin.
God would not give us commandments we could not follow with his help!

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks to baltobetsy and mosher for your comforting replies. I always leave the confessional with a feeling of peace but I feel it’s a ritual. I don’t want to commit the same sins again but I know I invariably will which is what makes me feel bad in asking for forgiveness, how can I if I know I will do the same thing again and how can I confess to smoking, I’ve tried to kick the habit so many times until something goes wrong, when I know I’m going to go home and have a cigarette?

Smoking isn’t a mortal sin.

I have not yet overcome the indoctrination of the JW’s and have come to the conclusion it may be a lifetime struggle. I’m going through all these things with my psychotherapist who was brought up Catholic and while I’ve made a lot of progress, the summit of the mountain is hard to reach. That’s how I feel about Catholic teaching. It’s not that I could disagree with it from a theological point of view but I feel God has set us this impossible standard.

It is sufficient to be on the mountain, and facing forward. That’s where the majority of Catholics are, too. You’re doing just fine.

It may comfort you to know that there is actually not such a thing as a “good Catholic” on this earth. We are 1.2 billion people who are heading in the right direction - we are each at various places in the journey - some further ahead, some farther back, some very close to the ditch on the right, and others almost falling into the ditch on the left, but all travelling together toward the Kingdom of God.

Welcome to the Greatest Adventure.

 

[mercygate]

Does all this mean I’m not a very good Catholic?

Heck. The day I start calling myself a “good” Catholic is the day I know I’m walking my way toward Hell. As for committing the same sins over and over: didn’t Paul mention something about having a problem with that? Most of us do. It keeps us humble.

No: don’t make excuses for yourself. Just keep pluggin’.

As for understanding Catholic doctrine: if you trust the Church, then you trust her doctrine. Whether you fully hug it and kiss it all on a personal basis is a matter of trust, and it can take time. Whenever I get “iffy” like that, I remember Peter’s words: “To whom shall we go?” If you’re with Jesus, you’re gonna be fine. Even if you get queasy about things, stick with Him. He’s in Peter’s boat.

 

[Ceil-1]

Jesus is on your side. All He asks is that you do your best. You would do well with intercessory prayer. My suggestion is to go to belleweather.org. and begin to learn about it. It will teach you how to be more in tune with God’s Will for you. It will chase away those “demons” in whatever form you are being attacked. Read the Bible every day and meditate on the words. Even the words themselves have the power of God.

You doubtless struggle with Mary, but remember, she is part of the family of God, and shares in Jesus’ glory as will all of us who persevere. Also, remember the angels and be sure to ask for their help. For your guardians, as well as other entire legions of angels, that is their only job. They are just waiting for your permission to help you.

“For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the pricipalities, with the powers (fallen angels), with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to hold your ground.”
Ephesians 6:12-13.

No doubt you took away a tasty morsel from the devil when you entered the Church, and the bad guys are mad. I know it sounds silly when you think of these things from a worldly point of view, but, spiritually and Biblically, they are so true. Know your enemy, and use your reinforcements. That’s my advice to you. Be sure I will be interceeding on your behalf. Don’t worry about the details, just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. You must realize that that is what He most wants you to do.

 

[minkymurph]

Jesus is on your side. All He asks is that you do your best. You would do well with intercessory prayer. My suggestion is to go to belleweather.org. and begin to learn about it. It will teach you how to be more in tune with God’s Will for you. It will chase away those “demons” in whatever form you are being attacked. Read the Bible every day and meditate on the words. Even the words themselves have the power of God.

You doubtless struggle with Mary, but remember, she is part of the family of God, and shares in Jesus’ glory as will all of us who persevere. Also, remember the angels and be sure to ask for their help. For your guardians, as well as other entire legions of angels, that is their only job. They are just waiting for your permission to help you.

Interesting response. I have a big belief in intercession. You use the term “chase away demons”. It’s only recently I have stopped having nightmares about demons. I was completely absorbed with demons and I don’t like to talk about being attacked by them. Too many bad memories! From I came to the Church I believe we have nothing to fear from demons, Christ conquered the evil one and I must believe that. Funny you say I struggle with Mary. Have you been reading my diary? Yes, I struggle. Not because I don’t want to accept the teachings on Mary, I just don’t feel I have the same committment in regard to these teachings as I do to the Creed. I took the names Mary and Bernadette when I was accepted into the Church because of Lourdes, to do with healing and I have been there on a pilgrimage. I think I believe she was sinless and did not have other children. I have looked into Church teaching and I couldn’t argue with it and who am I? What do I know about theology compared to the Catholic Church? But I don’t think I’m very commited to the belief and sometimes the more I look into things the more confused I become! In response to other posts, Smoking is not a mortal sin? I thought it was! Is it a venial sin or does it come under diminished responsibility as it is an addiction? Is that different?

 

[Ceil-1]

You are right, of course, we have nothing to fear from the fallen angels. We do, howvever, have to engage them in combat. That is, using our authority to bind them and run them off. They are what influences us to despair and hoplessness and whatnot, and if we can recognize that and pray them away, it works much better.

Addiction is a compulsion to act and, therefore, diminishes our culpability. For a sin to be mortal it must be willful, known on our end and a grave offense to God. I cannot see why smoking would be a grave offense to God, unless one was deliberately trying to do himself in. I say, if you keep on praying, almsgiving and attending Mass, go ahead and smoke away. It makes for a good fast on fast days and cutting down during lent. Besides, if you truly want to end it, you can pray and you will eventually gain the graces to remove that compulsion.

You seem to be struggling with a lot of guilt. Sometimes guilt is a positive tool, but when our sins cause us to obsess and despair, that is when it becomes a problem. I was told by a very holy priest that despair over sin is a sign of self-love and is brought about by you-know-who. When plagued with this, we are to concentrate on Jesus’ love and sacrifice on our behalf and spend time in praise and thanksgiving. I try to remember this myself. I also received healing for this during a healing service. Don’t be afraid of going to healing services and whatnot. They will do wonders for you, I promise.

Fr. Emmerich Voght (?spelling) is a 12 -step expert and spiritual advisor to the nuns of Mother Teresa’s order. He came from a very difficult background and is kind of scrappy. He is also very holy. He says that the deeper the hell one comes from, the greater the heights of glory. He actually says that. He uses the image of the Phoenix rising up from the ashes. So cool. So, the worse off you are now, the more the potential. I think for some it is chosen and for others, like you perhaps, it is put upon them. I think Fr. Emmerich would say that God has great confidence in you, as well as a special mission.

I can relate to your thoughts on Mary. Because of my exposure to Protestant theology as a child, I was afraid to have any type of real relationship with her fearing I would put her ahead of Jesus. But, her mission is the same as His and ours. We’re all on the same team. She grooms us up for her son, and her influence, spirtually, is very real. Give it a shot. Try a novena. Or even ask Jesus to show her to you. You will start to receive signs and signal graces all over the place. It’s exciting, really. I wake up and I can’t wait to see what surprises Jesus has for me that day. And, I feel so much more protected and at peace since I’ve learned to address her directly. She holds a lot of sway over her son, that’s for sure. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. I think you have much potential, and that is why you are struggling so hard.

 

[Ceil-1]

You are right, of course, we have nothing to fear from the fallen angels. We do, howvever, have to engage them in combat. That is, using our authority to bind them and run them off. They are what influences us to despair and hoplessness and whatnot, and if we can recognize that and pray them away, it works much better.

Addiction is a compulsion to act and, therefore, diminishes our culpability. For a sin to be mortal it must be willful, known on our end and a grave offense to God. I cannot see why smoking would be a grave offense to God, unless one was deliberately trying to do himself in. I say, if you keep on praying, almsgiving and attending Mass, go ahead and smoke away. It makes for a good fast on fast days and cutting down during lent. Besides, if you truly want to end it, you can pray and you will eventually gain the graces to remove that compulsion.

You seem to be struggling with a lot of guilt. Sometimes guilt is a positive tool, but when our sins cause us to obsess and despair, that is when it becomes a problem. I was told by a very holy priest that despair over sin is a sign of self-love and is brought about by you-know-who. When plagued with this, we are to concentrate on Jesus’ love and sacrifice on our behalf and spend time in praise and thanksgiving. I try to remember this myself. I also received healing for this during a healing service. Don’t be afraid of going to healing services and whatnot. They will do wonders for you, I promise.

Fr. Emmerich Voght (?spelling) is a 12 -step expert and spiritual advisor to the nuns of Mother Teresa’s order. He came from a very difficult background and is kind of scrappy. He is also very holy. He says that the deeper the hell one comes from, the greater the heights of glory. He actually says that. He uses the image of the Phoenix rising up from the ashes. So cool. So, the worse off you are now, the more the potential. I think for some it is chosen and for others, like you perhaps, it is put upon them. I think Fr. Emmerich would say that God has great confidence in you, as well as a special mission.

I can relate to your thoughts on Mary. Because of my exposure to Protestant theology as a child, I was afraid to have any type of real relationship with her fearing I would put her ahead of Jesus. But, her mission is the same as His and ours. We’re all on the same team. She grooms us up for her son, and her influence, spirtually, is very real. Give it a shot. Try a novena. Or even ask Jesus to show her to you. You will start to receive signs and signal graces all over the place. It’s exciting, really. I wake up and I can’t wait to see what surprises Jesus has for me that day. And, I feel so much more protected and at peace since I’ve learned to address her directly. She holds a lot of sway over her son, that’s for sure. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. I think you have much potential, and that is why you are struggling so hard.