Can one shop around for absolution?

[Lux_et_veritas]

This question comes from someone else who posed it to me:

Back in the late 60’s, she was using contraception. One priest refused to give her absolution if she did not agree to stop using it (which is the right thing to do, imho).

But, word was traveling around that another priest was giving absolution for it without requiring people to stop so she went to him and got it. I don’t know if she kept doing this or what. Her question is whether or not all of those confessions were invalid.

She is an elderly widow now. Is there anything she should do to clear this up for herself, like take it back into confession again?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

While one can certainly go to another priest if one believes that one was unjustly denied absolution, deliberately seeking out a priest who will absolve you without a firm intention from you to stop committing the sin – and yes, contraception is objectively grave matter that done with full knowledge and full and free consent of the will constitutes mortal sin – is a deeply problematic action.

I recommend that your friend go to a priest whose balanced orthodoxy she trusts and lay out the situation to him. He will be able to help her reconcile and make a good confession.