Absolution without confession

[JL2011]

Hi,

Can I receive Absolution without confessing my sins? Of course, with the intention of confessing them as soon as I can.

 

[mburn16]

The answer is - sort of.

When a properly ordained Priest grants absolution in the proper form, its valid. It may, still, however, be illicit.

Simply put, you can receive absolution without confession licitly when you 1) intend to confess, 2) are sorry for your sins, and 3) are in an emergency situation where an impending threat of death does not provide opportunity for confession

Simply put, if the plane is crashing or the ship is sinking or you’re dying from a car crash on the sidewalk, and terms #1 and #2 are present, then a Priest is perfectly allowed to grant you absolution before you confess.

Some Priests also offer absolution to people OUTSIDE of emergency situations, without prior confessions, even though this is technically a liturgical abuse.

 

[Statius]

It is possible to receive absolution without confession under special circumstaces, for instance if one has suddenly fallen ill and is in danger of death, or if one is a soldier about to go into combat. In any circumstances which are not life-or-death, however, one ought to make a proper confession.

 

[JL2011]

Thanks. Do you think I have to tell this to the priest? My priest has been doing it (not most of the time, just some times) and I’ve received absolution that way. He’s been a priest for 44 years, so he may be aware that this is wrong…

 

[thistle]

Thanks. Do you think I have to tell this to the priest? My priest has been doing it (not most of the time, just some times) and I’ve received absolution that way. He’s been a priest for 44 years, so he may be aware that this is wrong…

You are confusing us. What has your priest been doing EXACTLY?

 

[Bklynguy]

Thanks. Do you think I have to tell this to the priest? My priest has been doing it (not most of the time, just some times) and I’ve received absolution that way. He’s been a priest for 44 years, so he may be aware that this is wrong…

Perhaps you are confusing this with the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass (you know, the Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy)? This does not substitute the Sacrament of Penance if you are conscience of grave sin.

 

[JL2011]

I’m talking about my priest giving absolution without the confession of the sins of the penitent. I don’t see him doing it often, but he’s done it a couple times for me and other people, most of the time when he has no time to go through a Confession (right before Mass, for example).

 

[thistle]

I’m talking about my priest giving absolution without the confession of the sins of the penitent. I don’t see him doing it often, but he’s done it a couple times for me and other people, most of the time when he has no time to go through a Confession (right before Mass, for example).

Okay. If you mean its time for him to get ready for Mass and there are still some people waiting to make their Confession and the priest does not have time then he is NOT allowed to simply give absolution in these circumstances. That definitely does not fall under grave conditions that would allow a general absolution.
I would say you should not receive Communion if these are the circumstances and you still have to confess any mortal sins.