When confessing lust, is it necessary to identify the object of lust? E.g. priest, married man, etc

[Ana_v]

Are there cases in which, in confessing the sin of lust, the object must be mentioned? If it was lust toward a deacon/priest/bishops, must the penitent say " I lusted after a deacon/priest/bishop?" ? Religious brother or sister? Family member (and if so, does this one depend on degree of consanguinty)? Married person?

 

[Vico]

Are there cases in which, in confessing the sin of lust, the object must be mentioned? If it was lust toward a deacon/priest/bishops, must the penitent say " I lusted after a deacon/priest/bishop?" ? Religious brother or sister? Family member (and if so, does this one depend on degree of consanguinty)? Married person?

Just “lustful thoughts” and the count if it is mortal, the count is optional for venial. One has to give enough detail to determine the kind of sin. Also if one can’t name the exact number with reasonable effort, it is not required to be exact.

Examples are: sexual fantasies, fornication, adultery, masturbation, incest, homosexual acts, sex acts with animals. If there is a sacrilege as part of it, that should be disclosed. If someone was scandalized by it, that is also a sin.

 

[Bookcat]

One is to confess mortal sins in number and kind --and that which changes the kind in terms of a mortal sin --should be confessed. I murdered a man and he was my brother. I stole a gold cup and it was from the Church.

The Priest can guide one --such may need more guidance in the confessional.

 

[ChibiViolet]

To make it easier to confess this kind of thing, you can write it down instead of speaking it and you could write that you willed impure thoughts that were also adultrous (in the case of willing them about a married person and yes, it they are adultrous even if you yourself are not married,) willed impure thoughts that were also sacreligous (in the case of willing them about a priest/deacon/religous.)

In the case it was a family member, I’m not sure this needs to be confessed unless it was willed about a parent because there are instances in the Bible where brothers and sisters are married and Jesus never spoke out against this (I mean obviously there’s a legal matter, but we’re talking about thoughts.)

 

[Bookcat]

To make it easier to confess this kind of thing, you can write it down instead of speaking it and you could write that you willed impure thoughts that were also adultrous (in the case of willing them about a married person and yes, it they are adultrous even if you yourself are not married,) willed impure thoughts that were also sacreligous (in the case of willing them about a priest/deacon/religous.)

In the case it was a family member, I’m not sure this needs to be confessed unless it was willed about a parent because there are instances in the Bible where brothers and sisters are married and Jesus never spoke out against this (I mean obviously there’s a legal matter, but we’re talking about thoughts.)

Without commenting on all there…

Ordinarily Confession is to be “verbal”

Yes saying things can be difficult but that is part of confession.

(also I will note that various serious sins in terms of family members – yes such can be part of confession–that Jesus may not have said anything directly about something when he walked the earth is not always the deciding factor)

 

[thistle]

To make it easier to confess this kind of thing, you can write it down instead of speaking it and you could write that you willed impure thoughts that were also adultrous (in the case of willing them about a married person and yes, it they are adultrous even if you yourself are not married,) willed impure thoughts that were also sacreligous (in the case of willing them about a priest/deacon/religous.)

In the case it was a family member, I’m not sure this needs to be confessed unless it was willed about a parent because there are instances in the Bible where brothers and sisters are married and Jesus never spoke out against this (I mean obviously there’s a legal matter, but we’re talking about thoughts.)

I don’t believe you can write your sins down and hand them to the priest as your confession. You must orally tell the priest your sins.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I don’t believe you can write your sins down and hand them to the priest as your confession. You must orally tell the priest your sins.

You can if there is a good reason (ie: you’re mute and can’t confess orally). What one can do is write down their entire confession and just read it verbatim. This works well when you’re really anxious. Though, if you go this route, I recommend making clear and distinct marks to remind you to breathe.

 

[LiseTravis]

Your confessor will ask you questions if he needs you to be more specific.

 

[thistle]

You can if there is a good reason (ie: you’re mute and can’t confess orally). What one can do is write down their entire confession and just read it verbatim. This works well when you’re really anxious. Though, if you go this route, I recommend making clear and distinct marks to remind you to breathe.

Obviously we are not talking about a mute here. A person whose voice is not incapacitated must make an oral Confession to the priest (whether its reading from a paper or not).

 

[GCTSgrad]

Your confessor will ask you questions if he needs you to be more specific.

Exactly what I thought.

 

[ChibiViolet]

To make it easier to confess this kind of thing, you can write it down instead of speaking it and you could write that you willed impure thoughts that were also adultrous (in the case of willing them about a married person and yes, it they are adultrous even if you yourself are not married,) willed impure thoughts that were also sacreligous (in the case of willing them about a priest/deacon/religous.)

In the case it was a family member, I’m not sure this needs to be confessed unless it was willed about a parent because there are instances in the Bible where brothers and sisters are married and Jesus never spoke out against this (I mean obviously there’s a legal matter, but we’re talking about thoughts.)

Upon thinking about my post, I realize how someone might misinterpret the part I have underlined. What I meant was that if someone, married or not, wills impure thoughts about a person married to someone besides themself, than the thought is adultrous.

 

[jpjd]

Are there cases in which, in confessing the sin of lust, the object must be mentioned? If it was lust toward a deacon/priest/bishops, must the penitent say " I lusted after a deacon/priest/bishop?" ? Religious brother or sister? Family member (and if so, does this one depend on degree of consanguinty)? Married person?

My feeling is, if a penitent is trying to justify leaving out information, then it’s all the more reason to include that information. It must be something he is afraid/ashamed to admit. In confession, we must face our sin and admit it in full without trying to hide any part of it.

“Be not afraid.” The priest has heard it all.