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Author Topic: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.  (Read 6393 times)

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Offline Yeti

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Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
« Reply #30 on: February 01, 2024, 09:21:26 AM »
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    • To the OP, it's hard to answer your question without having been there, but you are correct in your implication that the information you received was not accurate at all. It's impossible for us to say whether you simply misunderstood what you were told, or whether you were told this on the basis of other information you have not given us, or what exactly happened.

    Maybe try this again. Go back to him in confession again when there is plenty of time to talk (not before Mass), and just say you are confused about what he explained about these types of sins, and ask him to give you a comprehensive explanation of this subject (impure looks) and how to know when this type of sin is mortal or not. Ask him any questions you have about what he says, including the questions you have posted here.

    If what he said still doesn't sound right, then maybe give us an update. I would also recommend writing in to True Restoration or Most Holy Trinity Seminary and asking them to explain these principles to you; they are well-trained clergy and would give you correct information.
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    Änσnymσus

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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #31 on: February 01, 2024, 09:34:25 AM »
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    • Quote from: Ladislaus on February 01, 2024, 06:20:22 AM
    He's wrong even there.  Even clicking on an image out of an impure curiosity isn't inherently a grave sin, but could be a venial sin borne of an impure curiosity, and may in fact be done without sufficient advertance and an act of the will.  If an individual finds himself clicking on such image often, and these images can easily lead to grave sins of impure/lustful thoughts, then that would be a different matter.  Many scrupulous individuals feel that if they take a second glance at something it's automatically a mortal sin, but that is not necessarily the case.  Grave sin of impurity entails deliberately (an act of the will) taking venereal impure pleasure in the thoughts / feelings.
    Right! Serious questions (not trying to engage meaningless discussion): what if the confessor knows the frame of the penitent (i.e., he's a spiritual director and has some insight about the penitent's predominant vice. Wouldn't it be a deliberate exposure to a near occasion of sin?
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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #32 on: February 01, 2024, 09:34:56 AM »
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    • Quote from: Änσnymσus on February 01, 2024, 09:34:25 AM
    Right! Serious question (I'm not trying to engage in sophistry or meaningless discussion): what if the confessor knows the frame of the penitent (i.e., he's a spiritual director and has some insight about the penitent's predominant vice. Wouldn't it be a deliberate exposure to a near occasion of sin?
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    Online Ladislaus

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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #33 on: February 01, 2024, 09:41:15 AM »
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    • Quote from: Änσnymσus on February 01, 2024, 08:11:59 AM
    Why would someone confess something that they already believe to not be a sin?

    I think the questions mortal vs. venial rather than sin vs. no sin.  One can (and often should) confess venial sins also.
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    Online Ladislaus

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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #34 on: February 01, 2024, 09:44:10 AM »
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    • Quote from: Änσnymσus on February 01, 2024, 07:21:31 AM
    But if he himself is scrupulous then finding out where he went to seminary would only cast false aspersions on the quality of the training there. 

    Maybe, maybe not.  If it was SSPX or MHT or somewhere else that's known for solid training of priests, one could write it off as just some idiosyncrasy of this priest.  I've known some SSPX-trained priests that went against their training after ordination and imposed a rigoristic approach to Confession.  If I were the OP, I'd probably raise the issue with the priest's superior.  But if the priest was from the Pfeiffer "seminary" or one of those guys who was ordained with little training, that rightly should cast aspersions on their training.  If the OP said SSPX, MHT, CMRI or other reputable seminary, that would not cast aspersions on the seminary.  But if OP said, "Pfeiffer priest," that would be one more reason to avoid them and would confirm the impression people already have that there's inadequate training / formation there.
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    Änσnymσus

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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #35 on: February 01, 2024, 09:44:26 AM »
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    • Quote from: Änσnymσus on February 01, 2024, 09:34:25 AM
    Right! Serious questions (not trying to engage meaningless discussion): what if the confessor knows the frame of the penitent (i.e., he's a spiritual director and has some insight about the penitent's predominant vice. Wouldn't it be a deliberate exposure to a near occasion of sin?
    To conclude: although the discussion of this topic is pertinent, my wholehearted prayer (understanding that the poster is Cathinfo member and, likely, a man) is: humbly accept the priest's judgement and penance and put every effort into not doing so again.
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    Online Ladislaus

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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #36 on: February 01, 2024, 09:48:00 AM »
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    • Quote from: Änσnymσus on February 01, 2024, 09:44:26 AM
    To conclude: although the discussion of this topic is pertinent, my wholehearted prayer (understanding that the poster is Cathinfo member and, likely, a man) is: humbly accept the priest's judgement and penance and put every effort into not doing so again.

    That's not adequate in the case of a priest giving bad advice.  I would recommend asking another priest or finding a different Confessor.  Obviously we should intend not to commit ANY sin again, whether mortal or venial, but if the OP were to "accept the priest's judgment," he'd have to, for instance, refrain from Holy Communion if this situation arose again before he could make it to Confession.  So this type of thing can have practical effects.  While the OP did not seem to be scrupulous, given that he was questioning the priest's judgment, this priest could wreak havoc on individuals who ARE scrupulous, and so my recommendation would be to speak with the priest's "superior" ... if he's part of some group where he has one.
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    Online Ladislaus

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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #37 on: February 01, 2024, 09:50:03 AM »
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    • Quote from: Yeti on February 01, 2024, 09:21:26 AM
    If what he said still doesn't sound right, then maybe give us an update. I would also recommend writing in to True Restoration or Most Holy Trinity Seminary and asking them to explain these principles to you; they are well-trained clergy and would give you correct information.

    I would second this advice.  MHTS are very well trained in the principles of moral theology.
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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #38 on: February 01, 2024, 10:35:23 AM »
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    Maybe try this again. Go back to him in confession again when there is plenty of time to talk (not before Mass), and just say you are confused about what he explained about these types of sins, and ask him to give you a comprehensive explanation of this subject (impure looks) and how to know when this type of sin is mortal or not. Ask him any questions you have about what he says, including the questions you have posted here.
    I disagree.  It sounds like the OP already has a good understanding of this question.  There's no need to ask the priest again, in order to discern if the priest is right or wrong.
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    Re: Immodest looks and remote occasions of sin mentioned on confession.
    « Reply #39 on: February 01, 2024, 03:41:22 PM »
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    • I am the original OP annonymous here.

    The priest was trained in a place known for solid formation, considering what was said in this thread.

    I thank you all for answering. You answers were very helpful.

    There was not any other context given, and this priest is not my director.

    He assumed that I had a lax conscience, because I said that I had seen the images but I had not consented to any impurity. He probably considers this highly unlikely, if not impossible.

    I think that he assumed that I am more ignorant than I really am, and that what he said was all I needed to hear. He probably did not think that his comment could have further consequences. 

    He is a good priest, in my opinion, if we disconsider this particular episode.
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