Should A Person Go To Confession...

[Ziggamafu]

say a guy feels sorry for his sin. to the point that it makes him sick! and say he honestly wishes he didn't do it. but what if he felt enslaved? what if he was falling into despair and feel any hope? what if he was torn in such a pathetic way that he would plan on the next sin while planning to go to confession for the last time he sinned? and what if he felt unworthy of confession and had to force himself to go, anyway?

in short, should an addict go to confession? he knows he'll sin again. he even plans on it. but he hates himself for it and wishes it didn't control him. is it just increasing the sin and invalidating the Sacrament (via presumption, perhaps?) by going to confession two or more times a week for the same sin he's addicted to and tortured by?

[Cam42]

[quote name='Ziggamafu' date='Oct 16 2005, 09:49 AM']say a guy feels sorry for his sin. to the point that it makes him sick! and say he honestly wishes he didn't do it. but what if he felt enslaved? what if he was falling into despair and feel any hope? what if he was torn in such a pathetic way that he would plan on the next sin while planning to go to confession for the last time he sinned? and what if he felt unworthy of confession and had to force himself to go, anyway?

in short, should an addict go to confession? he knows he'll sin again. he even plans on it. but he hates himself for it and wishes it didn't control him. is it just increasing the sin and invalidating the Sacrament (via presumption, perhaps?) by going to confession two or more times a week for the same sin he's addicted to and tortured by?
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You have just stated the problem that faced Martin Luther. Different circumstances, but the same scenario.

Should an addict go to confession? Yes. All humans know that they will sin again, that is not the issue. The point is that there is to be firm resolve to not sin again.

If one goes to confession with the intent to ammend his life and sin no more, then he will be forgiven his sins.

[quote name='Act of Contrition']O MY God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.[/quote]

[Laudate_Dominum]

In short, no. This is precisely the plan of the devil, to keep you from the sacraments and lead you into despair so that you will be damned.

The scenario that you have describes seems to indicate the condition of what I presume to be a sexual compulsion (auto-eroticism?).

While there may be times in which the web of guilt that has been spun around you may make you feel like you are unworthy of seeking the forgiveness of Christ, this is entirely false.

The fact that you drag yourself to confession perhaps several times a week shows that your true self desires Christ more than this sin. You are experiencing compulsive behaviour which lacks the full culpability of all out mortal sin. There are psychological factors, and while you might at times plot your next acting out of this behaviour, these thoughts stem from a dependency and pattern that is doubtfully freely chosen. It is making you miserable and you are putting forth the effort to seek confession and that is enough. If you had the attitude of indifference this would profane the sacrament. But you seem to sincerely desire to be rid of this vice, which is a correct intention.

However, I would suggest searching your feelings (I'm quoting Obi Wan not Vader), and be sure to prepare worthily for confession. If you are resolved to commit this sin again, you cannot make a proper confession of that sin. However, if you simply think it is most likely that you will repeat the offence, I would suggest forming the resolution to stop and abandoning this to Christ and His saving mercy that you will encounter in the confessional. Give this addiction to Him and know that He has the greatest mercy towards sins of weakness if we surrender that weakness to him and trust in His infinite love.

I know the effects of a cycle of sin and the torment that it can cause make this often easier said than done; but it must be done.
And hopefully there is a wise priest who you can go to for regular confession who might also act as an advisor or spiritual director of sorts who might hold you accountable and provide insight and advice toward overcoming this trial. If not, I would suggest praying for one.
And never ever give in to thoughts of despair. Remember that despair is based on the primordial satanic lie which denies God's absolute goodness and love. Despair is the demonic existential state and is precisely the tool that satan uses to bind souls to him.

Rather profess the faith of the Saints and the Holy Apostles of Christ who proclaimed with their very blood that Jesus Christ has died to free us from our sins and redeem us unto everlasting life. For we must truly die with Christ, if we are to be raised with Him. And we who are baptized have truly died, and must now "pray always", ever striving to remain in the Presence of God; interiorly in that secret place, that upper room in which Christ reveals Himself and makes a [i]pascha[/i] with those who sit with Him. If you have denied Him do not imitate Judas, but rather wait in the quiet of the upper room like Peter, and Christ will in time reveal Himself and say, "peace be with you".

[Laudate_Dominum]

I didn't know you were posting too Cam, my bad.
We posted at the same time.