Topic:  Can I confess a mortal sin that I don't remember?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: November 27, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:   I was wondering about something. I committed a while back what I think might have been a mortal sin. I have been to confession quite a few times since but never confessed it because I honestly didn't remember it. At the time I committed it, I was not even aware that it was a mortal sin, so I didn't think anything about it. I will confess it next time I go to confession. Did I actually committed a mortal sin (since I didn't know it was) and should I go to Communion before going to confession?Thanks.Amy

Answer: 

We are always glad to hear from any of God's children. But, Amy, you wrote earlier this week asking about another situation in which you were overly concerned about a situation which was not at all -- from a moral point-of-view -- a major issue. And now you write again about something which is not really a major moral issue. I am VERY CONCERNED that you are showing evidence of scrupulosity. You must seek the counsel of a wise and well-trained spiritual director (and I am fairly certain a very good therapist who respects your faith) to discover a way of dealing constructively with this problem of scrupulosity and how to deal in a life-giving way with what could be some kind of compulsive disorder. You really, really need to seek out that kind of professional assistance soon.

For something to be a mortal sin, the person MUST KNOW that the action or thought is a serious and grave offense against God and neighbor; since you did not even know that the issue in question was potentially sinful, there is virtually no way you could have committed a mortal sin.

A mortal sin requires that (1) the act be a serious offense against God and neighbor, that (2) the person know that the act is a serious offense against God and neighbor, and that (3) the person give the full consent of his/her will to the act. If all three of these conditions are not met, the Church would not consider the person to be in a state of mortal sin.

Please, please, Amy, get the help you need before this problem consumes you!

Blessings,
Father Phillip