Can a priest grant absolution to his wife and/or children?

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Ana_v

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No need to mention the celibacy issue. I’m referring to the norm in the Eastern Catholic Rites, of already-married men being ordained to the priesthood, or even instances in the Latin Rite e.g. a married Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism.

I realize a priest cannot absolve a person of a sin in which he participated. Assuming that the priest does not share in the culpability of his wife’s / child’s particular sin(s), may he absolve them of their sins, within the context of Confession?
 
Ana_v said:
No need to mention the celibacy issue. I’m referring to the norm in the Eastern Catholic Rites, of already-married men being ordained to the priesthood, or even instances in the Latin Rite e.g. a married Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism.

I realize a priest cannot absolve a person of a sin in which he participated. Assuming that the priest does not share in the culpability of his wife’s / child’s particular sin(s), may he absolve them of their sins, within the context of Confession?
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Yes.
 
Yes, he may.
A priest is a priest. He ministers to everyone irrespective.
 
Ana_v said:
No need to mention the celibacy issue. I’m referring to the norm in the Eastern Catholic Rites, of already-married men being ordained to the priesthood, or even instances in the Latin Rite e.g. a married Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism.

I realize a priest cannot absolve a person of a sin in which he participated. Assuming that the priest does not share in the culpability of his wife’s / child’s particular sin(s), may he absolve them of their sins, within the context of Confession?
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I think so.
 
Going to the original question

YES

but having said that in the East it’s not that common a practice - the family meaning wife and children ] of a priest will normally go to another priest for confession.
 
The_Idiot said:
Going to the original question

YES

but having said that in the East it’s not that common a practice - the family meaning wife and children ] of a priest will normally go to another priest for confession.
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I would imagine it would not be ideal to confess to one’s own father. The seal of the Confessional gives “Don’t tell Mom” a whole new meaning:D
 
The_Idiot said:
Going to the original question

but having said that in the East it’s not that common a practice - the family meaning wife and children ] of a priest will normally go to another priest for confession.
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If nothing else, it`d be pretty embarrassing having to confess to a father or spouse! 😊

CB Cath: 👍
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HISservant11:
I grew up in the roman catholic church… can someone tell me where in the infallible word of GOD, the holy Bible, where men can forgive / wash away a person’s sins and how exactly its done?
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If you think that everything that the Church teaches and does can be proved irrefutably from Scripture, forget it. There are more than 30,000 denominations out there, all claiming to be guided by Scripture alone. It`s spiritual anarchy. 🤷

The Church is almost 2,000 years old; and, sometimes, to find proof for her teachings, you have to go step by step, back to the very beginning of her existence. There are the early Church Fathers, Church Councils etc.
So, you cant ***necessarily*** do "it" just by picking up the Bible, and reading a few passages. So-called "proof texts". WoundedIcon has given you quotes; but its not always possible. You have to be able to think with the Mind of the Church.
 
It’d be like asking your father or husband who is a doctor to do surgery on you. Yes, he can, but I’d there are others available it’s advisable not to go to a family member.
 
A priest’s wife I know generally goes to some other priest for confession. I suspect this is usually the case.
 
Of course, this question might have some relevence now that the Ordinariate is coming through.
 
benedictgal said:
Of course, this question might have some relevence now that the Ordinariate is coming through.
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Just now? There have been married priest in the Latin Rite for quite some time now. Not to mention its always been there in the Eastern Rites.
 
While a priest may do so, it is not an ideal situation and should only be done in extreme circumstances - by which is meant, literally, in extremis - danger of death. Despite an opinion to the contrary that someone expressed earlier, that standpoint is generally held as true in both the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Even though, canonically, a priest may do so; pastorally, it is a very unsound practice.

The opinion has also been offered (and taught in priestly formation in some seminaries) that it is effectively, although not explicitly, forbidden. (There is a provision in Canon Law that forbids the director of an educational institute from hearing the confessions of his students).

Another opinion, also taught in some seminaries, holds that there is a moral impediment to a priest hearing his wife’s confession (in any instance, other than in extremis, not just one in which she may be confessing to a sin in which he also participated).
 
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