What is the lowest species in confession? And how much detail?

[Ziggamafu]

I’ve read that we must confess the “lowest species” of our sins in confession. First of all, what is meant by “lowest species”? Second, is it necessary to go into detail or is simply the “lowest species” and number of times enough? Finally, if we feel like there is something involved with a particular sin that we name that makes it “worse” than normal, but doesn’t change the species, must we confess such details even though the priest doesn’t ask?

For instance: Say you confess you had an impure thought. Your conscience then prompts you to mention certain details of the thought that you are particularly convicted about. But the priest doesn’t ask for more info. Would you have committed sacrilege and invalidated the sacrament in such a situation?
Another example: You confess that you stole money. The priest doesn’t ask how much or from whom. If he did, you would have to say it was $500 from your dear Aunt Sally who barely earns enough money to get by. But he doesn’t so you don’t talk about it. Would you have committed sacrilege and invalidated the sacrament in such a situation?

 

[batteddy]

Finally, if we feel like there is something involved with a particular sin that we name that makes it “worse” than normal, but doesn’t change the species, must we confess such details even though the priest doesn’t ask?

If the circumstance makes it “worse,” than that is a “lower species,” that is to say, a more specific category. If something makes a sin worse, then that does change the species. Homoerotic impure thoughts are worse than hetero, grand theft is worse than petty.

Is it sacreligious not to mention? If you do it intentionally. That is to say, if you think to yourself, “I’ll fool this priest, I am too embarrassed to mention these things, so I simply will try to skirt around the issue.” Then why even go to confession in the first place, if not to confess? You can’t fool God.

 

[blessedtoo]

For instance: Say you confess you had an impure thought. Your conscience then prompts you to mention certain details of the thought that you are particularly convicted about. But the priest doesn’t ask for more info. Would you have committed sacrilege and invalidated the sacrament in such a situation?
Another example: You confess that you stole money. The priest doesn’t ask how much or from whom. If he did, you would have to say it was $500 from your dear Aunt Sally who barely earns enough money to get by. But he doesn’t so you don’t talk about it. Would you have committed sacrilege and invalidated the sacrament in such a situation?

When the priest does not ask for details, I ask him if I should elaborate. Usually, they say no (especially with the impurity issues!).

 

[Ziggamafu]

I’ve heard different people say different things about the topic. I heard a very solid and orthodox Catholic priest say that when confessing “pornography”, penitents should leave it at that. I guess it just seems like there’s a lot of gray in this area, which seems odd since an invalid confession puts your eternal soul at stake!

 

[LilyM]

I’ve heard different people say different things about the topic. I heard a very solid and orthodox Catholic priest say that when confessing “pornography”, penitents should leave it at that. I guess it just seems like there’s a lot of gray in this area, which seems odd since an invalid confession puts your eternal soul at stake!

Remember that you’re really confessing to God through the priest, and not to the priest himself. God knows your heart and your sins, and the only things that you could do to invalidate the confession would be to not honestly be sorry at all, or to go into the confessional and deliberately lie, deliberately omit a mortal sin or deliberately make your sins appear venial when they are really mortal. As long as none of those apply, your confession is valid no matter what the level of details that the priest knows.

 

[thistle]

I’ve read that we must confess the “lowest species” of our sins in confession. First of all, what is meant by “lowest species”? Second, is it necessary to go into detail or is simply the “lowest species” and number of times enough? Finally, if we feel like there is something involved with a particular sin that we name that makes it “worse” than normal, but doesn’t change the species, must we confess such details even though the priest doesn’t ask?

For instance: Say you confess you had an impure thought. Your conscience then prompts you to mention certain details of the thought that you are particularly convicted about. But the priest doesn’t ask for more info. Would you have committed sacrilege and invalidated the sacrament in such a situation?
Another example: You confess that you stole money. The priest doesn’t ask how much or from whom. If he did, you would have to say it was $500 from your dear Aunt Sally who barely earns enough money to get by. But he doesn’t so you don’t talk about it. Would you have committed sacrilege and invalidated the sacrament in such a situation?

Whatever you might call it, it wouldn’t be called sacrilege.

CCC 2120 Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.

 

[Ziggamafu]

Hmm…see? Diverse opinions. Just an odd topic, I guess. I wish there was some authoritative decision on the Church’s part in matters like this.

 

[mystified]

Have never heard of the lowest species idea. The difference between mortal and venial sins?
Yup. The question about porm never ceases. Some consider Michalangelo’'s “David” to be pornographic, while others see this famous statue as an honest depiction of God’s creation.