What about forgotten sins?

[jealphak]

I’ve been wondering about this and have gotten different answers from different people. If you forget (unintentionally) a mortal sin in confession, are you still absolved from that sin? The Catechsim states that you should confess it at your next confession, but must you? And can you receive communion in between? I’ve heard it said that the sin is already absolved, and you only have to confess it if you want to recieve a penance for that sin to avoid time in purgatory.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Forgotten sins are absolved when you go to Confession. The reason why you should confess them when you remember them has nothing to do with Purgatory. It is to express your sorrow for them and verbally acknowledge them before the priest who is Christ’s representative. If the Lord was willing to suffer and die for us, the least we can do is acknowledge the sins He has forgiven.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.