Confession Guidance: Which Sins To Confess In Catholicism

what sins to confess in catholic confession

There are a variety of sins that Catholics may confess, and these can be broadly categorized into two types: serious or 'mortal' sins, and smaller or 'venial' sins. Some examples of mortal sins include blasphemy, missing Mass on Sundays, and deliberately telling a lie in confession. Venial sins, on the other hand, include everyday faults and minor failures, such as not praying daily or neglecting prayers. Catholics are encouraged to confess all mortal sins and some venial sins during confession, which typically takes place in a confessional where the priest cannot identify the individual.

shunspirit

Sexual sins: premarital sex, masturbation, pornography, homosexual activity, etc

Sexual sins are a broad category of sins that are considered to be particularly harmful due to their violation of the sacred nature of sexual intimacy. These sins include premarital sex, masturbation, pornography, and homosexual activity, among others.

Premarital sex is considered a sin as it violates the sanctity of marriage, which is a sacred union between a man and a woman in the eyes of God. Engaging in sexual intercourse outside of this union is seen as a betrayal of the covenant between a married couple and God.

Masturbation is also considered a grave sin in Catholicism. It is deemed an "intrinsically and gravely disordered action" by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This is because it involves the deliberate stimulation of genital organs for sexual pleasure outside of the context of marriage. While some factors, such as emotional immaturity or anxiety, may lessen the degree of culpability, it is still considered a serious sin that requires confession and repentance.

Pornography is another sexual sin that is confessed during Catholic confession. Viewing pornographic material is considered a sin as it involves lustful thoughts and desires outside of marriage. Additionally, it is associated with the objectification and exploitation of individuals, particularly women, reducing them to objects of sexual pleasure rather than respecting their inherent dignity as human beings created in God's image.

Homosexual activity has been traditionally viewed as a sin in Catholicism, labeled as "unnatural sexual depravity." However, this view is increasingly being challenged by Catholics who argue that homosexuality is a natural expression of human sexual orientation, no more disordered than heterosexuality. They assert that homosexual activity is no different from heterosexual activity and that the Church's stance is arbitrary and unsupported by reason or facts.

When confessing sexual sins, it is important to be specific about the nature and frequency of the sins committed. For example, one might confess, "I had premarital sex X times" or "I viewed pornographic material Y times." It is also crucial to express remorse and a desire to change one's behavior in the future.

shunspirit

Substance abuse: alcohol, drugs, etc

Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction, is considered a sin in Catholicism. It is seen as a threat to both the physical body and the spiritual pathway of an individual. The Catholic Church has long taken a firm stance against substance abuse in all its forms. However, the Church also acknowledges that addiction is a disease that cannot simply be prayed away, and that people can make mistakes.

The Church provides resources to help members overcome addiction and find their way back to sobriety, including drug and alcohol rehab. There are numerous Catholic-based addiction treatment centres that are affiliated with the Church and its agencies across the US. These programs integrate religious aspects, such as faith-based 12-step programs, Bible study, and daily prayer, with evidence-based methodologies like detoxification and counselling.

The Church believes that anyone can overcome addiction by attending the proper recovery program and dedicating themselves to a sober Catholic sacramental life. Addiction is viewed as a sin that must be acknowledged and confessed to receive the curative aspects of the faith. This acknowledgement is believed to set the individual free, allowing them to fully heal from addiction.

When it comes to confession, individuals are encouraged to be honest and direct. They should state their sins simply and can discuss the circumstances and root causes of their addiction with the priest. It is important to remember that confession is a process of seeking forgiveness and guidance, and the priest will provide advice and support throughout.

In the context of substance abuse, individuals can confess their struggles with addiction and their specific actions related to drug or alcohol use. This may include abusing alcohol or drugs, drunkenness, or any form of substance use that is contrary to God's will. It is important to understand that addiction can impact an individual's freedom of choice, and this can be a mitigating factor in the confession and path towards healing.

Confessing Sins: To Others or Just God?

You may want to see also

shunspirit

Missing Mass and other religious duties: not praying, breaking promises to God, etc

Missing Mass and failing to pray every day are considered grave sins in the Catholic Church, and grave sins are indeed mortal sins. However, there are circumstances in which missing Mass is not a mortal sin. For example, if a person is sick, has to deal with an emergency, or cannot find a Mass to attend without a real burden, then missing Mass is not a mortal sin. In such cases, the person is encouraged to take time to pray, read the prayers and readings of the Mass in the Missal, or watch the Mass on television and at least participate in spirit.

The Catechism teaches that those who deliberately fail in their obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation commit a grave sin. This is because the Mass is considered incredibly important in the Catholic Church. Each Sunday, the Church gathers to worship Almighty God and remember and profess their faith in the mystery of their salvation—that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered, died, and rose for their salvation. Attending Mass is also seen as a privilege and a way to receive abundant graces and unite with the Lord and the universal Church through the Holy Eucharist.

In addition to missing Mass, other religious duties that Catholics may need to confess include not praying every day, breaking promises to God, and failing to observe Sunday as a day of rest. Not praying every day is specifically listed as a sin that needs to be confessed, and breaking promises is also considered a sin, especially when done deliberately. Regarding the obligation to rest on Sundays, the Catechism states that Catholics should "remember to keep holy the Lord's Day" and "not do needless work on Sunday."

It's important to note that the perspective on missing Mass has evolved over time. Some Catholics may argue that missing Mass is no longer considered a mortal sin, but this is not accurate. While there are legitimate reasons for missing Mass that do not constitute a mortal sin, the Church still teaches that deliberately missing Mass is a grave sin that breaks our relationship with God and requires confession and absolution.

shunspirit

Sins against others: violence, theft, lying, gossip, etc

Sins against others are those that cause direct harm to another person. These can include violence, theft, lying, and gossip, among other things.

Violence

Violence is a sin that can manifest in many ways, such as physically hurting someone or putting them in danger. It is important to note that violence is not limited to physical harm but can also include emotional, psychological, or spiritual abuse.

Theft

Theft is the secret taking of another person's property against their reasonable will. It is considered a grievous sin as it violates the virtues of justice and charity. The Church distinguishes between relatively and absolutely grave theft. The former depends on the context, such as the relationship between the thief and the victim, their circumstances, and the value of the stolen item. Absolutely grave theft, on the other hand, refers to stealing a substantial amount, which, if prohibited, would imperil human society and extinguish the incentive for industrious careers.

Lying

Lying is considered a violation of the Eighth Commandment, which condemns bearing false witness. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas argue that lying is always morally wrong, even to protect someone in danger. However, many disagree, and the issue has been intensely debated among theologians. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines lying as "speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving."

Gossip

Gossip is considered a sin in Catholicism. It involves revealing the sins or secrets of another person to someone who does not have the right to know. This can be further broken down into two types of sins: calumny, which is telling lies about another person, and detraction, which is revealing true but potentially reputation-damaging information about someone.

It is important to note that sins against others are not limited to those mentioned above and can take many other forms, such as provoking someone into sin, covering up for a friend's sin, or failing to admonish or correct someone.

shunspirit

Sins of thought: hatred, jealousy, greed, etc

Sins of thought are those that occur in the mind and include hatred, jealousy, and greed. These are considered transgressions against God's will and can be confessed and forgiven through prayer or the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).

Harbouring hatred in one's heart is considered a sin, and confessing this type of sin can help to repair the relationship with God and others. It is important to recognise and cast off negative, uncharitable, or judgmental thoughts about others. Spending time nurturing resentment or justifying one's anger is not considered healthy or virtuous. Instead, one should strive to respond with charity and humility, recognising the inherent worth of others as children of God.

Jealousy and greed are also considered sins of thought. Being envious of others' possessions or desiring what one does not have can lead to a self-centred mindset. Material possessions should not be the primary purpose of one's life. Instead, individuals are encouraged to share what they have with the poor and seek to live with less attachment to worldly goods.

Confession involves an examination of conscience, where individuals reflect on their thoughts, words, and actions. It is an opportunity to bring these sins of thought to light, confess them, and receive guidance and forgiveness. The priest will offer advice and assign penance, which should be performed promptly. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift that provides a privileged place to encounter God's healing mercy and restore the relationship with Him and the Church community.

Defacing the Bible: Sinful or Not?

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

Some common sins that Catholics might not immediately think of but should confess include being judgemental of others, lying about taking a sick day at work when feeling fine, missing Mass, neglecting prayers, and being rude or disrespectful.

Mortal sins that Catholics should confess include missing Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, receiving Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin, using artificial birth control, and blasphemy.

Venial sins that Catholics can mention in confession include wasting time at work, school, or home, gossiping, speaking badly about others, and not dressing modestly.

Sins related to the first commandment include failing to give God time every day in prayer, seeking other "gods" such as money or power, and being involved with the occult.

Sins related to the sixth commandment include engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage, using contraception or artificial birth control, viewing pornography, and not dressing modestly.

Written by
  • Aisha
  • Aisha
    Author Editor Reviewer
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment