Why are we not required to reveal our sins?

[angell1]

Hi angel,

JRKH has some great advice. Are you a bit scrupulous? I have been very scrupulous about such things as well and the only thing I can say is find ONE confessor and listen to him even when you think he is wrong. Many MANY saints have said you absolutely won’t be held accountable for acts done under obedience to your confessor. It’s hard because I too have felt compelled to repair my past even going to separate priests who both told me I do not or should not go back because it will cause more harm by doing so. It likely was a temptation from satan to cause me to despair of salvation. I know how hard it is to put your trust in someone else’s hands but you must! The devil wants you to be confused and worry but right now the only healing and cure comes through a confessor who acts in God’s name.

I will pray for you, Jill

yes, quite scrupulous

I just don’t want to be committing another sin because I failed to repare a past sin

 

[JRKH]

yes, quite scrupulous

I just don’t want to be committing another sin because I failed to repare a past sin

The fact that you are scrupulous means that you need to follow the advice of your confessor. This person knows you and your situation the best.

Peace
James

 

[Joy2day]

I have no idea. but I don’t go so that people think highly of me

but if you’re a student and a certain prof really likes you. but you actually cheated on a test in their class, well you wouldn’t really deserve the praise or good reputation in their eyes, would you?

unless something like this has affected you personally, I dont see why you are so.concerned with what ‘might’ be the situation in other people’s lives. I can only imagine,being upset by the seal of confession if you felt someone who had hurt you was somehow getting away with something by going to confession. Otherwise, I cant really understand why the seal of confession bothers you. Worry about your own situation before God, & be less ‘interested’ in others.

 

[JRKH]

unless something like this has affected you personally, I dont see why you are so.concerned with what ‘might’ be the situation in other people’s lives. I can only imagine,being upset by the seal of confession if you felt someone who had hurt you was somehow getting away with something by going to confession. Otherwise, I cant really understand why the seal of confession bothers you. Worry about your own situation before God, & be less ‘interested’ in others.

I don’t really think this is about the seal of the confessional. Nowhere has there been discussion of the priest breaking the seal - and what the penitent does about revealing their sin is a separate issue.

It is more about making proper amends to those injured.

It is also about a person who struggles with scruples.

Peace
James

 

[Joy2day]

Its about the seal in the sense that what is discussed during confession is private & therefore there is no requirement to reveal sins discussed in confession to anyone else - at all. The priest will give an appropriate penance, & that is the end of it. Confession is about the pwnitent, the priest & God, & no one else. You dont need confession to decide to make amends to someone you have wronged.

 

[angell1]

Its about the seal in the sense that what is discussed during confession is private & therefore there is no requirement to reveal sins discussed in confession to anyone else - at all. The priest will give an appropriate penance, & that is the end of it. Confession is about the pwnitent, the priest & God, & no one else. You dont need confession to decide to make amends to someone you have wronged.

how do you know what to make amends for or not then?

since scruples is an issue for me, it’s a hard thing to figure it out. what will end up happening is I will tell everyone everytime I sinned against them in some way

what if I make the wrong decision and dont’ make amends when I should have?

and these are personal situations, if you must know

 

[JRKH]

Its about the seal in the sense that what is discussed during confession is private & therefore there is no requirement to reveal sins discussed in confession to anyone else - at all. The priest will give an appropriate penance, & that is the end of it. Confession is about the pwnitent, the priest & God, & no one else.

Fair enough.

You dont need confession to decide to make amends to someone you have wronged.

When one is dealing with scruples, a good regular confessor can be crucial.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

how do you know what to make amends for or not then?

since scruples is an issue for me, it’s a hard thing to figure it out. what will end up happening is I will tell everyone everytime I sinned against them in some way

what if I make the wrong decision and dont’ make amends when I should have?

and these are personal situations, if you must know

Be guided by your confessor.

Peace
James

 

[ccmcmg]

why is it not a requirement for confession to reveal our sins to the people we sinned against?

if we lied, doesn’t the other party deserve to know the truth?

if we cheated on a test, wouldn’t we be getting a grade we didn’t deserve?

if we murder someone, someone else might be convicted falsely

if we committed adultery, we broke our commitment to our spouse.

I’m sort of struggling with this. I know all sins are against God, and we’re telling him. but they’re also against other people too. it seems too easy almost if you just go in to the confession and then no one will ever know. people might still think highly of your even though you don’t deserve it. it’s only because they don’t know what you’ve done

Because we have already received the ultimate forgiveness: God’s. No one else’s forgiveness is as big as His, and no one is as Loving. It’s like going straight to the top, the CEO, of a company. Do you need a CSR’s forgiveness if you’ve gotten it from the owner? Don’t lessen God’s Forgiveness to a lower level position than one of His Servants.

If you wronged me, whether or not I knew about it, God will still forgive you if you ask. However, my heart isn’t (yet) as big as His, or as full of His Love (yet).

 

[Joie_de_Vivre]

Our sins will be revealed eventually to all.

 

[Joy2day]

how do you know what to make amends for or not then?

since scruples is an issue for me, it’s a hard thing to figure it out. what will end up happening is I will tell everyone everytime I sinned against them in some way

what if I make the wrong decision and dont’ make amends when I should have?

and these are personal situations, if you must know

These are good questions, which I believe are best answered by your confessor. I dont wish to.hear about the nature of your sins, & nor do I believe, does anyone else. As James mentioned, it is a good idea to discuss these with your confessor if it is bothering you.