ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | FEBRUARY 2024

Author: Fr Bitaju

Q71. Many of us forget a lot of our mistakes; will these mistakes be accounted for? 

According to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins is not dependent on our ability to remember or recall every single mistake we have made. When we sincerely repent and seek God’s forgiveness, he is merciful and forgives our sins, even those we may have forgotten or are unaware of.  

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that God’s mercy is infinite and his forgiveness extends to all who approach him with contrite hearts (CCC 1442).  It states that when we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are forgiven and reconciled to God, even if we are unable to remember or enumerate every specific sin committed. 

However, it is important to note that the forgiveness of sins does not mean that we should neglect examining our conscience and making a sincere effort to recall and confess our known sins. The Catechism encourages individuals to engage in regular self-examination, to be aware of their actions and their impact on others, and to seek forgiveness for any wrongdoing (CCC 1455). 

If someone genuinely forgets a sin and later remembers it, they should confess it in their next confession. The Church teaches that forgotten sins, once remembered, should be confessed in order to receive the fullness of God’s mercy and grace. 

In summary, God’s forgiveness is not dependent on our ability to remember every single mistake or sin we have committed.  When we sincerely repent and seek God’s forgiveness, he is merciful and forgives all our sins, even those we may have forgotten.  However, it is important to make a sincere effort to examine our conscience, confess known sins, and seek reconciliation with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

YOU CAT 416

What are the essential elements of Christian marriage?

(1) Unity: Marriage is a covenant that by its very nature brings about bodily, intellectual, and spiritual union between a man and a woman;

(2) Indissolubility: Marriage lasts ‘until death do us part’;

(3) Openness to offspring: Every marriage must be open to children;

(4) Commitment to the spouse’s welfare. [2360-2361, 2397-2398]

If one of the two spouses deliberately excludes one of the four points listed above at the time of their wedding, the Sacrament of Matrimony does not take place.