Unforgotten Mortal Sin and Confession

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Marcus_T

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The Church teaches that if one dies with an unrepented or unforgiven mortal sin, that person goes to hell. We are also instructed that if we forget a sin in confession it is still forgiven but we must confess it the next time we go to confession in order for the sin to be truly forgiven So, what if a person commits a mortal sin and then truly forgets about it but does go to confession many times over the years but never confesses the forgotten mortal sin that was committed. Does that person still go to hell?
 
First, only God knows the condition of the soul. We can and should use the guidelines the Church has given us, but the bottom line is only God knows.
As to the question, I say no the person wouldn’t go to hell. The sin was forgotten. It’s not as if it was withheld, purposely unconfessed. God doesn’t play “gotcha” with us.

But, personally I think it would be hard to forget a grave sin for years and years after going to confession many times and after making a good examination of conscience before each confession. At some point, you’d think a person would remember, especially if it truly was a grave, serious sin.

Others more informed than me will be able to answer you more in depth.
 
We have to remember that the Holy Spirit is working in us. When we prepare to go to confession we should pray and do an examination of conscience. At this point the Holy Spirit will remind of past sins and as we grow in holiness bring to mind things we have done in the past that we may have forgotten or never even considered as sin at the time. The more we grow in Faith and holiness the more we come to realize the gravity of our sins and become cognisant of the grave offence we have given to God through them.
 
Marcus_T said:
The Church teaches that if one dies with an unrepented or unforgiven mortal sin, that person goes to hell. We are also instructed that if we forget a sin in confession it is still forgiven but we must confess it the next time we go to confession in order for the sin to be truly forgiven So, what if a person commits a mortal sin and then truly forgets about it but does go to confession many times over the years but never confesses the forgotten mortal sin that was committed. Does that person still go to hell?
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If they are making honest contrite confessions…intending to confess any and all mortal sin…but just never remember the forgotten mortal sin - then it is just that a forgotten (and forgiven) mortal sin.

Same would be the case if Joe say remembered a mortal sin they forgot in their good confession - and then honestly forgot it again and did not remember it - but still were doing what I noted (making good confessions). It is a twice forgotten mortal sin in that case - but still a forgotten and forgiven mortal sin.

Practically speaking - if one does forget a mortal sin and such a confession as I noted above but just forgot it - they ought not to wait too long before getting to confession again. Like keep it in mind and go the next week (I say this for some say go once a month if they have no mortal sins or every few months etc).
 
Marcus_T said:
The Church teaches that if one dies with an unrepented or unforgiven mortal sin, that person goes to hell. We are also instructed that if we forget a sin in confession it is still forgiven but we must confess it the next time we go to confession in order** for the sin to be truly forgiven** So, what if a person commits a mortal sin and then truly forgets about it but does go to confession many times over the years but never confesses the forgotten mortal sin that was committed. Does that person still go to hell?
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Others have addressed the main part of your question, but it must be pointed out that the bolded portion of your post is incorrect. A forgotten mortal sin is completely forgiven in the sacrament of reconciliation. We are obligated to confess it at the next confession after we have remembered it, not because it was not forgiven, but out of humility and because a new sin is incurred by deliberately withholding it. That’s why we don’t have to make a special trip to confession when we remember a legitimately forgotten mortal sin in order to receive Communion. It suffices to mention it whenever we go next.
 
Fuerza said:
Others have addressed the main part of your question, but it must be pointed out that the bolded portion of your post is incorrect. A forgotten mortal sin is completely forgiven in the sacrament of reconciliation. We are obligated to confess it at the next confession after we have remembered it, not because it was not forgiven, but out of humility and because a new sin is incurred by deliberately withholding it. That’s why we don’t have to make a special trip to confession when we remember a legitimately forgotten mortal sin in order to receive Communion. It suffices to mention it whenever we go next.
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This exactly.
 
Marcus_T said:
The Church teaches that if one dies with an unrepented or unforgiven mortal sin, that person goes to hell. We are also instructed that if we forget a sin in confession it is still forgiven but we must confess it the next time we go to confession in order for the sin to be truly forgiven So, what if a person commits a mortal sin and then truly forgets about it but does go to confession many times over the years but never confesses the forgotten mortal sin that was committed. Does that person still go to hell?
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If we forget a sin in confession it is still forgiven because our sorrow is for all mortal sins of our life.
 
Marcus_T said:
The Church teaches that if one dies with an unrepented or unforgiven mortal sin, that person goes to hell. We are also instructed that if we forget a sin in confession it is still forgiven but we must confess it the next time we go to confession in order for the sin to be truly forgiven So, what if a person commits a mortal sin and then truly forgets about it but does go to confession many times over the years but never confesses the forgotten mortal sin that was committed. Does that person still go to hell?
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Isnt forgiveness from the Lord Our God great!

A forgotten sin, even sins we dont know were sins, all forgiven. By a Priest in the confessional, if we but go to Confession.

We cant confess sins we dont remember. Thats the point of losing a memory of them. Or of sins we dont know were sins.
Or think of this, we get dementia, brain issues that cause memory problems. What to do? Relax, praise God,

And live in the faith. Just keep trying to imitate Jesus. Yes we will fall, get up again, ask forgiveness and keep walking that narrow stoney path to Heaven.
 
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