Would this be a valid confession?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Defender23
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Defender23

Guest
Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding valid Confessions. I went to Confession today, and I made a very good Confession (all venial sins). I confessed something involving lust with my girlfriend. After I confessed my sins, the priest asked if I lived with my girlfriend or if I lived with my parents. I interpreted his question as asking if we were co-habitating (which we are not), so I told him that I am living with my parents (which I am). Technically speaking though, while I am living with my parents, my girlfriend is currently living here with my parents (in an entirely separate guest room) for a month so that she can student teach in my area (her home is far away from me).

After I answered the priest’s question by stating that I lived with my parents, I realized that I should have probably explained the full situation (i.e. stating that we are not co-habitating since we have separate rooms, but we are technically living under the same roof), but I suppose that at the time I simply thought that he was asking if we were co-habitating, which we are not. I tend to suffer from scruples, so afterward, I was wondering if I had lied to the priest and invalidated my Confession. I meant to make a good Confession and I didn’t intend to lie; it was more of a spur-of-the-moment response on my part. Also, a different priest has told me that my living situation is certainly not sinful, since I’m living in a different room from my girlfriend under my parents roof and it’s temporary.

Any advice would be helpful. I don’t know what invalidates a Confession, and what does not. Thank you very much!

God Bless
 
Your confession was valid. I would suggest giving the full explanation if a priest asks you again.
 
Thank you very much Spirithound! I appreciate it. I will be sure to give a full explanation if I am asked a question by my confessor again. I guess it caught me off guard and I tried to answer quickly without thinking much so that the people in line behind me wouldn’t have to wait, but I guess need to spend more time in Confession. If anyone could provide some links to what makes an invalid/valid Confession it would be helpful. Thanks so much!
 
Defender23 said:
Hello I meant to make a good Confession and I didn’t intend to lie; it was more of a spur-of-the-moment response on my part. Also, a different priest has told me that my living situation is certainly not sinful, since I’m living in a different room from my girlfriend under my parents roof and it’s temporary.

Any advice would be helpful. I don’t know what invalidates a Confession, and what does not. Thank you very much!

God Bless
Click to expand...
no it does not invalidate your confession but it made it impossible for the priest to give you advice that would help you avoid this particular sin involving her in the future. Did the other priest know that just being in the same house is proving to be too much temptation for you to handle?
 
Thank you for your response Annie! I’m glad to hear two people say that my Confession was likely not invalidated.

Yes I understand that it made it difficult for the priest to give advice. Truthfully, (I didn’t mention this above) I don’t think that being in the same house is more of a temptation for us than the previously long-distance nature of our relationship. In fact, we are being very pure now, whereas we were a little bit more reckless when we were doing a long distance relationship. The sin involving her I confessed today was a venial one. But I sincerely appreciate your help! Thank you so much.
 
Of course you didn/t lie.You answered the question just the right way.You gave the answer he was looking for.
 
In my understanding, it matters quite a bit whether you intended to lie or not… if you intended to lie, that would invalidate your confession. But you did not, - so it was more like a mistake. I would explain the situation to the priest and ask him just in case, and ask him for advice also 🙂 if you have the opportunity.

God bless
 
valentino said:
Of course you didn/t lie.You answered the question just the right way.You gave the answer he was looking for.
Click to expand...
not really you left something vital out, but that was not intentional, that is why it did not invalidate the confession. If you deliberately mislead the priest when he asks a direct question, that would be questionable.
 
Thank you so much for your responses everyone, I sincerely appreciate it! God Bless 🙂
 
I think his intent was whether you are living in the same bed together 🤷 Maybe tell him in the next confession what you meant.
 
Thank you so much again! Very appreciated! God Bless all of you:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top