Note 283 — Chapter III · CONFESSION

Cf. Lehmkuhl, l. c.; Mazzotta, l. c. De oris confessione, cp. 4. St. Alphonsus declares very precisely that St. Thomas’ doctrine on this matter is not against us: “He does not speak of a penitent who after diligent examination of conscience comes to the conclusion that his sin is doubtfully mortal and then lays aside his doubt in accordance with the rule that there is no certain obligation where it is question of a doubtful transgression; he is rather considering the case of the penitent who is certain that he has performed a sinful act but cannot decide whether it was gravely sinful or not; such a penitent is, of course, obliged to take pains to remove the doubt, and if he cannot settle he must submit it to the judgment of his confessor, whose office it is to distinguish between sin and sin.” S. Alph. l. c. n. 474 (fin.).