Dear Scott:

I understand how that story could be problematic for the scrupulous. What is needed for them to remember is that this nun DELIBERATELY and KNOWINGLY refused to confess this embarrassing sin. If you think you have committed a mortal sin, confess it. If you are not sure if a sin is grave, then ask you confessor.

The scrupulous usually wonder about whether some action they did is mortal or not. There was no wondering or confusion, or hesitation on the part of this nun. They knew her sin was mortal and her pride got in the way and thus she consciously refused to confess.

One does not go to hell by accident or by confusion. One must deliberately refuse God's forgiving grace to the point of refusing that Grace upon their death bed in order to go to Hell.

The scrupulous never refuse God's grace. They want God's grace and they want it badly. The problem of the scrupulous is thinking things are mortal when they are not. But, really, what does it matter in the sense that both needs to be confessed to God anyway?  With venial sin one may ask forgiveness directly to God; with mortal one must attend the Sacrament of Confession.

The Church teaches that it is efficacious to bring venial sins to the Sacrament of Confession too.  If in doubt, confess it anyway. Ask your confessor about it.

Anyway, this story is not about what scrupulous tend to do, it is about knowing (not wondering) that one has committed a mortal sin and refusing to confess it.

As to your questions:

1) no, religious are not more culpable for mortal sin. Mortal sin is mortal sin in terms of the state of one's soul.

Now, in terms of the total judgment of God in the assessment of our lives, the Bible says "to much is given, much is required." Priests, bishops, popes, monks, nuns, teachers, and all people who have responsibility for others, especially for other's souls and faith formation are held accountable for what they do. To put it is simplistic terms, a religious might get a double spanking for a mortal sin that a laymen would only get a single spanking at the Last Judgment, but mortal is mortal, they will both go to hell for their refusal of God's grace.

2) ALL your sins are forgiven when the priest gives you absolution -- even the ones that you do not remember at the time. The Church teaches us that if we later remember those mortal sins, then we should confess it.

Thus, if you later remember the sin, go ahead and confess it.

3) Your sin has been forgiven already. If you remember it, confess it. Why not confess it when you remember it? Confess it and then you don't have to worry about this question. (This is one of the things that the scrupulous tend to do is to construct scenarios of "what ifs" and then worry about them. The solution is easy. Confess it when you remember and then there is no what-ifs)

4) If you minimize a grave sin in confession hopefully the priest will call you on it. Whether he does or not, you are still forgiven as you did in fact confess the sin (assuming you have contrition and purposes of amendment, of course).

You do need to try to confess your sins without trying to explain them or put conditions on it.

For example, "Father I have sinned by uncharity toward my spouse, but you see I had a bad day and my spouse was irritating me."

What does that matter? The point is the sin of uncharity. That sin is sin REGARDLESS of why you were uncharitable or the circumstances that lead to it.

While minimizing our sins does not invalidate our Confession unless what is happening is really a lack of contrition (being sorry for your sin), we should work on trying not to minimize. Just own up to the sin, no excuses.

Confession can be like this:

Father, forgive me, it has been 3 weeks since my last confession. In that time I accuse myself of...

1) lust, 10 times

2) uncharity toward my wife, 50 times

3) shoplifting, 2 times

4) saying God's name in vain, 5 times

For these and all other sins that I do not now remember I am heartedly sorry and ask forgiveness.

Details are not needed, only kind and number, unless the priest believes you need to explain something in which he will then ask you.

I hope this helps.

God bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary