Apostolic Pardon in Confessional?

[Mordocai]

Today I made my confession to a Priest who, at the end, instead of pronouncing the words of absolution, pronounced the words associated with the Apostolic Pardon. I asked him to still say the words of absolution but then he inaudibly and very quickly mumbled something and told me to go in peace. He said he gives this “special blessing” to people in hospitals or at times when he feels moved to do so.

So I went to find another Priest, told him about it, repeated the main things I confessed previously (it was a very important confession for me and sincerely needed) and he gave me sacramental absolution.

Question: was the apostolic pardon valid? I’m not sick or dying.

Matt

 

[dans0622]

Today I made my confession to a Priest who, at the end, instead of pronouncing the words of absolution, pronounced the words associated with the Apostolic Pardon. I asked him to still say the words of absolution but then he inaudibly and very quickly mumbled something and told me to go in peace. He said he gives this “special blessing” to people in hospitals or at times when he feels moved to do so.

So I went to find another Priest, told him about it, repeated the main things I confessed previously (it was a very important confession for me and sincerely needed) and he gave me sacramental absolution.

Question: was the apostolic pardon valid? I’m not sick or dying.

Matt

Hello,

The apostolic pardon is given in order to remit the temporal punishments due to sin. It is not an absolution from the sins themselves. Was the pardon valid? That’s an interesting question…

Dan

 

[midori]

I’m just impressed you were able to recognize an Apostolic Pardon when you bumped into one. I’ve never heard one granted before— and the first I heard about it was earlier this summer, when a dying relative was granted one.

Interesting situation.

 

[FrDavid96]

Today I made my confession to a Priest who, at the end, instead of pronouncing the words of absolution, pronounced the words associated with the Apostolic Pardon. I asked him to still say the words of absolution but then he inaudibly and very quickly mumbled something and told me to go in peace. He said he gives this “special blessing” to people in hospitals or at times when he feels moved to do so.

So I went to find another Priest, told him about it, repeated the main things I confessed previously (it was a very important confession for me and sincerely needed) and he gave me sacramental absolution.

Question: was the apostolic pardon valid? I’m not sick or dying.

Matt

No, the Apostolic Pardon was not valid; because the conditions for when it may be given were not met.

The words begin like this “By the authority granted me by the Holy See…” however, that authority is only given for certain circumstances. Absent those circumstances, the priest has no authority to do it.

The circumstances of “when he feels moved to do so” do not apply here.

Hopefully, the first priest did indeed pronounce the necessary words for Absolution. In which case, he should have done so in a way that you could hear them.

The words of the Apostolic Pardon cannot be used as a substitute for the necessary words of sacramental Absolution.

I don’t participate in threads about individual confessions. Since this question is strictly objective, I’ve decided to respond, but will likely leave it at that.

I’m glad you found a different priest who is willing to do things licitly and validly. I’m sorry that you had to go in search of one.