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re; confession
Question from anonymous on 8/30/2009:

Father,

In reference to the confession question, what if one cannot remember the number of times a certan sin has been committed especially if one is addicted to compulsive/sinful behaviors? Thank you for your answer and God bless.

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 9/27/2009:

Only grave (mortal) sins need to be confessed in number. I think of counting mortal sins as equivalent to counting elephants. It is easy to tell if one or five elephants are in the room.

If sins are compulsive, then this condition may have reduced the culpability from mortal to venial. In those circumstances, the number is not strictly required, so I would suggest instead giving an estimate.

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