Was My Confession Valid? Help and Advice Please

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Danny92

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Hi guys. Using a throw away account as what I’m talking about is very embarrassing and shameful.

For years I have been struggling with viewing pornography, masturbating and speaking to people online inappropriately. Even going as far as sending rude pictures to people. I know, disgusting. I managed to get a grip on it, but i fell into temptation around 6 weeks ago and did it again. I finally managed to get the courage to go and confess these sins, as well as other ones I had committed. I had quite a list. I admitted to viewing pornography, masturbation, speaking to people inappropriately online and drug use. However I forgot to mention about sending pictures, I think I remembered as he was absolving me but I didn’t say anything. I’m now really worried my confession is invalid now. And if I need to go back do I need to re-confess all the other sins?

I should mention I have pretty bad OCD, so this is really playing on my mind. And now I’m worried I’ve taken communion in a state of mortal sin. I feel I’ve turned a corner and feel I am strong enough to never go back to these immoral sins, but I still feel trapped in that I haven’t confessed properly.

Hope you guys understand, and can make sense of what I have written.

Thank you and God bless.
 
I’m sorry you’re struggling right now.

Your Priest is the best person to talk to about this. CAF can often inadvertently make OCD/scruples worse, and sometimes people rely on it instead of proper offline help.

Please take this question to your Priest, and follow his guidance. I also hope you are getting professional help for your OCD.
 
I believe the confession was valid. You are forgiven any sins that you have honestly forgotten to confess. I have also had it happen that I remember something extra during absolution. In the emotional difficulty and vulnerability of the moment, it can be confusing to know whether or not to speak up. I personally think that the culpability of sin is diminished or nonexistent in these cases. However, only you know your conscience. In any case, you should always confess a sin that you have forgotten to mention in a previous confession, if you remember it afterwards. You can go so far as to mention the entire episode of forgetting/remembering during absolution in your next confession. Your priest will be able to guide you to a better understanding, and you will feel so much better. Lastly, try to rid yourself of toxic shame concerning your struggles and falls. The devil loves it, as it makes it harder for you to truly overcome your failings. We are all sinners with a Savior.
 
I too, forgot to mention something during confession one time, and too chose not to mention it. At my next confession, I admitted this to Father and asked if my confession had been valid. He grinned at me and said that while I probably should have mentioned it, that yes, my confession was valid and I had truly been absolved. So yes, I believe your confession was valid :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:
 
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