Sinful or not?

[Revert2Christ]

Hi,

recently, I watched a movie that portrays a young man who killed the Archsbishop of Chicago because he was abused by the latter.
After watching this I thaught about one scene which caught my attention: The moment when the audience in the courtroom was told about the abuse. All the priests and nuns present in the room where shocked and desperate.

Finally, I ended up thinking about how desperate I would be if my own parish priest would commit such crimes. My question is: Did I commit a sin by having these thaughts about that priest? I honestly did NOT have the intention to sin, and I can swear that I would never suspect him of abusing anyone.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Hi,

recently, I watched a movie that portrays a young man who killed the Archsbishop of Chicago because he was abused by the latter.
After watching this I thaught about one scene which caught my attention: The moment when the audience in the courtroom was told about the abuse. All the priests and nuns present in the room where shocked and desperate.

Finally, I ended up thinking about how desperate I would be if my own parish priest would commit such crimes. My question is: Did I commit a sin by having these thaughts about that priest? I honestly did NOT have the intention to sin, and I can swear that I would never suspect him of abusing anyone.

No, you did not sin. It is normal to try and picture how we would react to things if they happend to us or those we in circule.

 

[RSD]

Sinful behavior, in thought, word or deed, means that some act of will has taken place. If you gave no willful consent to these thoughts, did not harbor them or dwell on them willingly, then consider the thoughts a temptation. Temptation is not sin. Jesus experienced temptation.

Now, don’t descend into sin by obsessing on these thoughts. The best way to free yourself of unwelcome and unwholesome thoughts is to turn your thoughts (this is an act of the will) to something that you do want to think about. I of course could recommend the Rosary, or Scripture, but if you are not able to concentrate on these good thoughts settle for something lesser, but gripping. Baseball games? Exercises? “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe?

 

[Little_One0307]

Revert2Christ,

Morning. I was once told by a very wise priest whose counsel has been of much value to me and is beyond priceless.

There was a time in my life that there were times that I did not know if my thoughts had led me into sin. He counseled me that if I did feel peace about it, to take it to confession. He said that in my confession, that I could say that if I had any responsibility or sinned in any way in a particular matter that I was not sure if I had sinned, I wished to bring it to the Keys to be forgiven. And that has brought much peace to me since then.

I have counseled my friends with this same thing. I personally do not think you sinned, yet however if you wish to have peace and knowing that all is forgiven, take it to confession. That peace is priceless.

Oh and if I could encourage ya to pray for all the priests. They are in much need of our prayers.

Hope this helps.

Little One0307

 

[RSD]

Revert2Christ,

Morning. I was once told by a very wise priest whose counsel has been of much value to me and is beyond priceless.

There was a time in my life that there were times that I did not know if my thoughts had led me into sin. He counseled me that if I did feel peace about it, to take it to confession. He said that in my confession, that I could say that if I had any responsibility or sinned in any way in a particular matter that I was not sure if I had sinned, I wished to bring it to the Keys to be forgiven. And that has brought much peace to me since then.

I have counseled my friends with this same thing. I personally do not think you sinned, yet however if you wish to have peace and knowing that all is forgiven, take it to confession. That peace is priceless.

Oh and if I could encourage ya to pray for all the priests. They are in much need of our prayers.

Hope this helps.

Little One0307

This is a good, better than what I wrote at first. But I think that you meant to say “if I did NOT feel peace…”

 

[Revert2Christ]

I have counseled my friends with this same thing. I personally do not think you sinned, yet however if you wish to have peace and knowing that all is forgiven, take it to confession.

You see, the problem is, the priest I was thinking of, is my regular confessor and I want to go to confession today. If I really committed a sin by having the thaughts I told you about,
I have to confess them to him.

Now, what shall I say? Something like " Hi Father, I thaught about you abusing children, I’m sorry!"

I can never,ever do this.

 

[Little_One0307]

You see, the problem is, the priest I was thinking of, is my regular confessor and I want to go to confession today. If I really committed a sin by having the thaughts I told you about,
I have to confess them to him.

Now, what shall I say? Something like " Hi Father, I thaught about you abusing children, I’m sorry!"

I can never,ever do this.

I understand. Might I suggest going to another priest and confessing anonymously [sorry I hate that word, I can never spell it right.]? I understand the awkardness that would be present in this situation and I would feel as you do. I am praying for you.

 

[Revert2Christ]

I understand. Might I suggest going to another priest and confessing anonymously [sorry I hate that word, I can never spell it right.]? I understand the awkardness that would be present in this situation and I would feel as you do. I am praying for you.

I thaught about that, but that’s not possible because this priest knows me very good and he also knows my struggle with my past sins ( I have been away from the Church for 10 years)
If I would choose another confessor I would have to tell him everything about my past, so that he might understand my situation and is able to advise me properly.

However, I think I chose the wrong topic. The correct topic would be " Mortal or venial?"
If these thaughts of mine were mortally sinful, I would have to confess them, if they were just venial, I don’t have to confess them.
As I said before, I did not have the intention to commit a sin. Could these thaughts be mortally sinful despite the fact that I had no evil intentions?

 

[Joan1969]

I thaught about that, but that’s not possible because this priest knows me very good and he also knows my struggle with my past sins ( I have been away from the Church for 10 years)
If I would choose another confessor I would have to tell him everything about my past, so that he might understand my situation and is able to advise me properly.

However, I think I chose the wrong topic. The correct topic would be " Mortal or venial?"
If these thaughts of mine were mortally sinful, I would have to confess them, if they were just venial, I don’t have to confess them.
As I said before, I did not have the intention to commit a sin. Could these thaughts be mortally sinful despite the fact that I had no evil intentions?

Hi Revert,

You are over-thinking this. There is no way this could be a mortal sin unless it was some act of personal malice against the priest.

I don’t know if taking such things to the confessional would work or not. It would depend on the confessor and how good he is with handling scruples. Most thoughts are simply not easily subject to our will power. Imagination can and does wander, with no malice at all. Of course, it is possible to will a thought, and they can either be sinful in themselves or they can lead to sin. What we have to watch for the most is either mental aggression or sexual fantasy. It seems to me you have a firm handle on that reality. So what you need to be careful of is scruples.

Given your mental tendencies, I would be extra cautious about the movies you watch. Avoid disturbing material like this movie; I see no real value to the plotline anyway. Look to uplifting media.

God Bless,
Joan

 

[Michael_Francis]

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