4. Can contrition be sincere when one is certain of falling back again into particular mortal sins?
It's surprisingly simple to overcome this, and all that needs be done is ask a simple question.
Do you think you are going to lose the game, or are you planning to throw the game?
If you're planning to throw the game, you don't have contrition. But no matter how certain you are you are about to lose - even if you feel like a toddler going into a match with a national-level player - as long as you're planning to play the game, you have contrition.
Somehow I wonder what he would have advised a penitent who harbored doubts about the validity of the confession, not for the reasons enumerated, but because of doubt about the validity of the confessor's orders.
4. Can contrition be sincere when one is certain of falling back again into particular mortal sins?
It's surprisingly simple to overcome this, and all that needs be done is ask a simple question.
Do you think you are going to lose the game, or are you planning to throw the game?
If you're planning to throw the game, you don't have contrition. But no matter how certain you are you are about to lose - even if you feel like a toddler going into a match with a national-level player - as long as you're planning to play the game, you have contrition.
Excellent way of putting it.
Fr Doyle is so good, great series, thank you.
Somehow I wonder what he would have advised a penitent who harbored doubts about the validity of the confession, not for the reasons enumerated, but because of doubt about the validity of the confessor's orders.
I think it would be what he says elsewhere. If it is a negative doubt, it is to be despised.
But if it is a positive doubt, the Church herself teaches us that we are to treat it as invalid.
Thank you!