Absolution without confession of sins

[Jack]

I learned today that a friend of mine went to a local priest asking for the “Sacraments” before her larynx cancer surgery that was scheduled for later that day. He “gave her absolution” without confession of her sins, and then anointed her and was about to give her Holy Communion, but reconsidered because she was fasting before her surgery.

Because there was no danger of her death at the time she visited the priest, was it correct for him to give her absolution without confession of her sins? Was the absolution valid?

 

[dylanschrader]

The absolution would have been valid and licit if she were prevented from confessing her sins due to physical or moral impossibility.

Otherwise, absolution would have been invalid and illicit.

The only thing that excuses from the necessity of confessing sins is if such a confession is impossible (e.g., a ship is sinking and the priest has no time to hear dozens of confessions).

 

[LilyM]

There may have been a lack of time for the priest.

I don’t know how the surgery would qualify in terms of danger of death - certainly it sounds like something pretty serious and risky.

 

[dylanschrader]

There may have been a lack of time for the priest.

I don’t know how the surgery would qualify in terms of danger of death - certainly it sounds like something pretty serious and risky.

There would have had to be a pretty serious lack of time or some other factor. Without the details of the situation, it’s hard to make a particular judgment.

 

[puzzleannie]

I learned today that a friend of mine went to a local priest asking for the “Sacraments” before her larynx cancer surgery that was scheduled for later that day. He “gave her absolution” without confession of her sins, and then anointed her and was about to give her Holy Communion, but reconsidered because she was fasting before her surgery.

Because there was no danger of her death at the time she visited the priest, was it correct for him to give her absolution without confession of her sins? Was the absolution valid?

it may very well be the priest assumed given her condition she should not speak much, and so absolved her. He is in charge of the sacraments he confers, and the best judge, no one else hast the right to judge, especially anyone who was not there. The sacrament of anointing of the sick in any case remits all sin when it is not possible to confess. I think the tendency here to second guess priests is getting out of hand.