A very personal question to Christians?

Question

This is very serious, so please, no sarcastic comments.
Unfortunately, when I was about 7-11 y.o. I had sexual relations with my brother and cousin because I did not know I was doing bad at that age. Now that I grew up I realise what I have done and I want to confess (I am Catholic). The problem is, how can I say it using proper language (and not use the words the priest might not want to hear?)
Whats the best way to confess about this sin?
Also, how can i find the strength to confess about it? Because it is a horrible sin...

Answer 1

Strange how folks leap to the assumption that you were raped, molested, or otherwise taken advantage of. My Oldest sister (by 4 years) and I acted out a scene from the old S.W.A.T. series. I was the "rapist." Of course it was all sex play. At 7 i wasn't physically ready yet. However I carried a load of guilt cuz i realized what we'd done, even in play, was wrong. There is only one mediator between God and man, and that is the Man, Jesus Christ. So you'll find in the book of Hebrews. God knows your heart, He is always willing to forgive, and when He forgives, He forgets.

Answer 2

You shouldn't be confessing to a third party [i.e., a priest] in the first place --whether you're a Catholic or not-- but to the person/s you have offended or did wrong, and to God, by sincerely asking their forgiveness with the vow to sin no more. That is, IF you instigated the Sin.

However, IF you are not guilty of the Sin --since you were at such a tender age when it occurred and you may be confused by feeling guilty about it too even if you didn't instigate it-- but it happened the other way around [meaning, you were the offended party] then it is your obligation to FORGIVE the person who sincerely asks for your forgiveness.

And all your other sins will also be forgiven by God.

That's how it's supposed to work each time you say The Lord's Prayer that goes, in part, "...forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us..."

Peace be with you!

Answer 3

Confess it to God on your own during your prayers at the church. You do not have to see a priest for a valid confession or to be forgiven. Better yet, try some sort of therapy and let a professional figure out how to involve the brother and cousin, who will know what happened also, and you can really all confess and ask forgivness from each other as a family.

Answer 4

God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows that we sin which is why he sent his son to die on the cross (so that we could be forgiven). While I am not Catholic my understanding is that by confessing to a priest you are asking not for the priest's forgiveness, but rather for God's forgiveness. God already knows what happened, why not start by asking for his forgiveness by yourself and then go to a priest and repeat your confession to him. There is nothing you can do to make God not love you. As for the wording, I would try to keep the confession general as you have above. If the priest asks you for more information or you feel that you need to include more details then use the medical terms for anatomy and sexual actions. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well I am a Christian and we don't believe in the whole "middle-man thing" (confession to a priest). We just ask for forgiveness from God himself. If you truly want to be forgiven you can ask God for forgiveness.

For the words to tell your priest: you can say you had inappropriate contact with your brother and cousin when you were younger and before you realized what you were doing, and now that you have you feel you need to confess.

Answer 6

You were a child but if you want to tell your priest do it I'm sure he has heard much worse. I'm not catholic and if that was me I would go to the last priest Jesus and confess my sin because it says that He is faithful to forgive us of all sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9

Answer 7

I'm not too familiar with the confessional because I am Baptist, but there were times when I wanted to admit my sin and ask for forgiveness in prayer. I always wondered the same thing, what are the right words. I didnt' realize until later in life that there are no "right words", I just say what is in my heart as if I was talking to a friend. I would imagine that the priest should be the same way, just go and talk to him as if you were friends who could trust and confide in each other. He should be receptive to your thoughts and offer comfort to lift the burden from you heart.

Answer 8

HON, You were a child and God knows that. He doesn`t hold childish actions against you..

I am NOT Catholic. So I can`t answer your question about confessing. I confess my sins to GOD. ONLY GOD can really forgive me..

NOW the terms to use are, You had Sexual intercourse with your brother and cousin.

I would like to know how OLD THEY WERE? They may and should be, held accountable if they were adults..

Good luck and God bless. I will pray for you..

Answer 9

God already knows what you did. There is not right way or wrong way to ask for forgiveness as long as it sincere. You need to confess is to God so He can forgive you. A priest is not without sin. He is not responsible for the sins you commit; you are. It is your responsibility to take it to the Lord. A priest cannot forgive your sins.

Answer 10

I am not a Christian, so I hope you won't mind my posting. Can you just say it like you said it here? You worded this in what I would call proper language. I am wondering if your brother and cousin were older than you? Did they molest you? I think you may need some counselling about that, if you haven't already received some. I think that you were too young to be accountable, although I am not familiar with the views on accountability in Catholicism. Nevertheless, I do think it is good for you to get this information off of your chest. God bless you.

Answer 11

I believe that confessing to a priest is ridiculous. And you did not commit a "horrible sin" you were raped. Rather than confess, pray for your situation and ask the Lord to help give you peace of mind.