What to do when a Confessor dismisses your sin?

[akrulisky]

I have not read anything anywhere that answers this question. In Confession I stated what I felt strongly was a sin and the priest said, “You are being too hard on yourself” and then waved his hand like he was waving it off. We have face to face confession. I don’t know if I was absolved of what was deeply concerning me and feel like I have an unresolved sin. He didn’t ask any questions about what I said and I didn’t pursue it because I was so stunned. Should I find another Confessor and bring it up again? We have a one priest parish, however. Or should I go back to confession and tell the same priest that I am still concerned about what I perceive as a sin.

Thank you for any help on this matter.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

At first I was going to answer this privately, but there may be many people who have experienced this. You say that you “felt” strongly that what you confessed is a sin. Now I don’t know if by “felt” you mean that you are strongly convinced that it is a sin. If this is the case, then you are being guided by right reason. We often use “feel” when we mean “think.” On the other hand, some people react to feelings without resorting to the use of their reasoning abilities. An act is a sin—not because it merely feels sinful, but because one’s intellect reasons that it is so. People who scruple, go on feelings only.

If your reason tells you that what you did is sinful according to the teachings of the Church, then I suggest that you tell the priest. If you would like to discuss this further privately with me, just click on my name above.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.