The Truth Will Out!

[The_Cavalier]

Does the Church set forth any clear criteria dictating when there is an obligation to come forward for a lie?

I think we all have a subjective understanding of this. For example, lying about whether you fed the dog on one occasion could probably stay in the confessional. However, lying to the police about where your friend was on the night of the murder would require you fess up.

At any rate, are there objective criteria for determining when lying requires some corrective action beyond a sacramental confession?

 

[Spyridon]

If it does, your Confessor will let you know.

Otherwise, just confess all lying in the Confessional.

 

[pianistclare]

What Spy said, plus…are laws being broken or are others being harmed by our lies?
I think that would be a rather obvious call.

 

[RandomAlias]

The Catechism has a lot to say about reparation for lying. I do not understand every word of this passage, but the first sentence seems to say that confession/forgiveness is not enough. We must also make things right, to the extent that we can.

2487 Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another’s reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience.

 

[anna]

I think by now we know the difference between the slap on the wrist confession and one that could change your or someone else’s life If your priest will not absolve you because you will.not make restitution verbally or with making good on something of value etc…which all in all could add up to something that could put one’s soul in jeopardy or if one does the right thing, it may not be as bad as he thought Never leave something unsettled, make things right between you and God and peace will find a way to your heart. God Bless you… .