Topic: Do I have to have to tell the world about a sin I confessed.

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: February 1, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: K. Martyn

Question:  If I went to confession for a sin that I did three years ago which was a mortal sin, should I feel relieved, if so, then how come I don't.  Should I then know there are other steps that follow this process and if so what are they, or should I go back to my priest and tell him my insecurities about my wrong doing and where I need to go from here.  I guess, I just want to know why I do not feel good about confessing my sin seeing that I still won't come out clean to my surroundings.  Does it still mean I am sinning because I am keeping it a secret.  I hope I asked that right?!

Answer:

You have asked a lot of questions, so let's take it from the top.  If your confession was an honest and sincere one, and you are truly sorry for having sinned, God has forgiven you.  Perhaps, you have not forgiven yourself. Sometimes that is the harder thing to do. God's love and mercy has no limits.  We tend to erroneously superimpose limits on God's goodness.  

I do not understand completely your phrase "...seeing that I still won't come out clean to my surroundings."  Once you confess your sins nowhere does it require you to make them public.  You are not sinning to keep this to yourself assuming you are not continuing to repeat the sin. 

Yes, if you still do not feel good about yourself I would encourage you to seek the counsel of your priest.