''Scrupulous Anonymous'' is a

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

monthly newsletter an
website
published b
Liguori Publications
It is a ministry of the Redemptorists, and the

Redemptorist Congregation The Redemptorists officially named the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer ( la, links=no, Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris), abbreviated CSsR,is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men (priests and brother ...

, founded by Saint

Alphonsus Liguori Alphonsus Liguori, CSsR (27 September 1696 – 1 August 1787), sometimes called Alphonsus Maria de Liguori or Saint Alphonsus Liguori, was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosop ...

. The monthly newsletter is written primarily for individuals who need help in dealing with

scrupulosity Scrupulosity is characterized by pathological guilt/anxiety about moral or religious issues. Although it can affect nonreligious people, it is usually related to religious beliefs. It is personally distressing, dysfunctional, and often accompani ...

, a

Doctor of the Church Doctor of the Church (Latin: ''doctor'' "teacher"), also referred to as Doctor of the Universal Church (Latin: ''Doctor Ecclesiae Universalis''), is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints recognized as having made a significant contribu ...

suffered from "scruples" and feelings of religious guilt in his own life, and developed techniques for helping people with the same condition.

Ignatius Loyola Ignatius of Loyola, S.J. (born Íñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola; eu, Ignazio Loiolakoa; es, Ignacio de Loyola; la, Ignatius de Loyola; – 31 July 1556), venerated as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a Spanish Catholic priest and theologian, ...

, founder of the Jesuits, also struggled with scrupulosity. The newsletter features a main article and a section dedicated to answering questions submitted by readers. Many people, at one time or another, struggle with faith issues about sin, guilt, punishment, and hell. But a small few, particularly Catholics, so fear offending God—or fear never being forgiven by God—that they are unable to participate in daily life without experiencing severe doubt and anxiety. Rather than experiencing faith as a source of peace, their faith causes them to dwell on or second guess every decision they make. Psychologist William Van Ornum reported a survey of one thousand subscribers to Scrupulous Anonymous and documented their feelings of anguish and suffering. In his book ''The Doubting Disease'' Joseph Ciarrocchi stated that: "I have found the newsletter a useful adjunct to therapy for religious persons".Joseph Ciarrocchi, 1995 ''The Doubting Disease: Help for Scrupulosity and Religious Compulsions'' Paulist Press. page 109 Based on a half-century of questions and answers published in the ''Scrupulous Anonymous'' newsletter, the book
Understanding Scrupulosity: Questions and Encouragement
' addresses concerns related to sin, thoughts, dreams, fantasies, and sexuality, as well as confession, self-worth, prayer, and God's grace.

Sources

{{Reflist Catholic newspapers