Unintentional Insult

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Wcravens

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I am a high school student at a Catholic High school. A few months ago, my freshman class visited a beautiful basilica in Northern Missouri. However, I made an very bad mistake that day that I’ve been repentant for and super worried about ever since. One of the brothers who lives there, Brother Matthew, was giving us a tour of the basilica. I was busy taking in the view when brother asked me a question. I didn’t realize it, but Brother Matthew had a blind eye, and I couldn’t tell he had a blind eye until he asked me the question. It also seemed to me that Brother’s head was tilted upward like he was looking at the person behind me, and I couldn’t tell if he was asking me a question, and I was very confused. I fell into a state of panic for a second, and looked back at the person behind me expecting them to answer. Then Brother told me he had a blind eye, and I immediately felt terrible. I was very confused, and had no idea Brother Matthew had a blind eye, it was an honest mistake that I questioned whom he was asking the question. I have had absolutely no intentions of ever directly speaking to someone of their disabilities, and would never insult anyone like that from the heart. I immediately wanted to apologize, but didn’t get the chance. It was an honest accident, but I feel wrong for it. I plan to confess this in confession, but I’m wondering if it is a mortal sin, venial sin, or a sin at all? And what shall I do now? Thank you all and God Bless!
 
Thank you! I will try to talk to my priest as soon as I can. I have been terrified about this for months. I should have considered what you said before I posted this; that it’s only sin if it’s done intentionally and maliciously. Thank you for your advice! I had absolutely no intentions to make fun of anyone.
 
From your story you were confused by his disability and he then explained his disability. How is this even an insult much less an unintentional one?
 
This qualifies as an honest mistake. You have a lot to live, in life many mistakes are made and this one will be really small in hindsight.
 
I mean this with all sincerity as you sound like a very sweet, considerate young man or woman. If this is your biggest concern then you have a blessed life! I don’t think you did anything wrong but by all means tell your priest if it bothers you.
 
Sin would be asking a woman who is not pregnant when her due date is… It happens. Yikes!
 
Perhaps you could get an address for the basilica and write the brother a letter. It would get this off your chest and I’m sure he would be grateful even if he didn’t notice the insult.
 
From what you wrote, I gather that Brother Matthew has an unusual gaze due to his visual impairment. You are probably not the first to be confused by it, it may happen often enough that Brother Matthew knows when and how to explain it, and I can’t imagine that he took it as an insult. Be at peace, and say a prayer or two for Brother Matthew.
 
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Thank you very much!!! I’ve felt far from God lately because of this and other mistakes I have made, and I do care about them a lot! You have no idea how big of an impact your reply just had on me! Thank you and God Bless!
 
I said a prayer for him and asked for forgiveness and for God’s help to recognize disabilities like those everyday. I also feel like I wasn’t the only one confused because other people were talking about something similar to that on the bus ride back. Thank you for your help and God Bless!
 
I should do that, or ask one of the Sisters that teaches at my school if they know a way to contact him. Thank you! God Bless!
 
You’re right! And things like those We should always avoid! I tried my best to make sure that mistake didn’t lead to any bad actions. Thank you and God Bless!
 
I thought it was still a sin because it may have hurt his feelings, and especially because I didn’t apologize because I wasn’t able to
 
Thank you all for all your answers and advice. It was a misunderstanding and you all were there to support me and reassure me. Thank you all and God Bless! I will try to reach out to Brother at some point to apologize!
 
You’re right, I think I was so worked up especially because he was a brother who lived at the basilica (on the campus, it’s a school for those who are becoming priests and deacons)
 
Sometimes when I say something without any bad intentions. But when I say it, I hear that it sounded rude. Then I just simply say something alike: Oh, I didn´t mean anything wrongly with that etc…

I wouldn´t mind worrying so much about this. It seems like the fact that you have been bothering yourself so much with this might show that you are scrouplous.
 
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