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Author Topic: Lying in the Confessional???  (Read 1746 times)

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Änσnymσus

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Lying in the Confessional???
« on: March 18, 2014, 12:32:55 PM »
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  • I didn't really know how to answer this question:

    If a person honestly confesses their sins but the priest asks probing questions that are embarrassing and the penitent panics and answers dishonestly out of embarrassment does the penitent have to go back and confess that?  Is the confession sacrilegious?



    Änσnymσus

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #1 on: March 18, 2014, 12:36:17 PM »
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  • Yes, you would have to go back to the Confessional and confess the new sin of lying to the priest because of embarrasement. The confession is not valid if you lie to the Priest. I guess you could go to another priest if this particular priest has made you uncomfortable.


    Änσnymσus

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #2 on: March 18, 2014, 12:38:01 PM »
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  • Quote from: Guest
    I didn't really know how to answer this question:

    If a person honestly confesses their sins but the priest asks probing questions that are embarrassing and the penitent panics and answers dishonestly out of embarrassment does the penitent have to go back and confess that?  Is the confession sacrilegious?



    I would say the penitent should go back and confess it- but to a different priest.

    There are legitimate probing questions. For instance, if a person confesses to fornication then it is valid for the priest to ask if it was with someone else or ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ in nature. Was it adultery ? Is the person still involved and intend to stop the behavior ? Those are valid questions.

    Änσnymσus

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #3 on: March 18, 2014, 02:37:05 PM »
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  • Yes, you should go to confession again, but to another priest.  Explain what happened.  Determine to accept whatever he says.  Since you are sorry enough to bring up the topic on a public forum, albeit anonymously, contrition is not the problem.  It possibly ISN'T a mortal sin because you were caught off-guard.  Let the new priest determine that.  It would be different had you spoken a premeditated lie in Confession.  Maybe your embarrassment points to your having partial rather than perfect contrition for that particular sin.

    Offline Sigismund

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #4 on: March 18, 2014, 07:50:08 PM »
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  • You could also simply tell the priest that you find his questions inappropriate.  You don't have to answer them.  You may have to approach a less aggressive priest for confession, but you will not have added the sin of lying.  
    Stir up within Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Spirit with which blessed Josaphat, Thy Martyr and Bishop, was filled, when he laid down his life for his sheep: so that, through his intercession, we too may be moved and strengthen by the same Spir


    Änσnymσus

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #5 on: March 19, 2014, 01:46:29 AM »
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  • Quote from: Sigismund
    You could also simply tell the priest that you find his questions inappropriate.  You don't have to answer them.  You may have to approach a less aggressive priest for confession, but you will not have added the sin of lying.  


    Before someone tells a priest they think the questions are inappropriate, I would recommend that person first look up why the reasoning behind the questions or set up an appointment with another priest to ask why such questions would be asked.


    Offline Sigismund

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #6 on: March 19, 2014, 09:40:02 PM »
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  • Sure.  That would be best.  I was kind of assuming that the priest's questions really were objectionable, which I guess assumes facts not in evidence.
    Stir up within Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Spirit with which blessed Josaphat, Thy Martyr and Bishop, was filled, when he laid down his life for his sheep: so that, through his intercession, we too may be moved and strengthen by the same Spir

    Änσnymσus

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    Lying in the Confessional???
    « Reply #7 on: March 22, 2014, 11:10:34 AM »
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  • I really hope the OP has been able to correct the problem.  Good and holy Confessors are hard to find. Sometimes they have hearing and comprehension problems which can tie everything into knots.
     I strongly recommend praying a sincere Act of Contrition for starters.
    Then find a different Confessor.  It is OK (laudable, even) to accuse oneself of past sins repeatedly in different Confessions.
    The lie to a priest must be confessed asap.  Although something sounds strange about the whole thing.  I have had some horrible things happen in the Confessional, but we must all realize how important this Sacrament is for our salvation and do everything possible to get it done right.  Even if the priests are not how we wish they would be.