Confession if someone is mute?

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HomeschoolDad

HomeschoolDad

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If a penitent is mute (unable to speak), would it suffice for validity for them to write down their sins on a piece of paper and give it to the priest? And if the priest asks them “yes or no” questions, they could make the appropriate gestures (nod of the head, etc.)? And the act of contrition could obviously be made internally?
 
In our modern world, tech is available that would do text to speech. The pentitent may also speak in sign language, even if they have to do basic finger spelling, a sign language interpreter (who is also bound by the seal) may be used, there are many ways someone with no vocal speech can make confession.

A person could confess in sign language, or any language unknown to the priest, and the priest can still grant absolution. Remember, His yoke is easy and His burdens light.
 
If I am correct, there is legitimate dispute among Catholic theologians as to whether a mute priest can celebrate certain sacraments that ordinarily are performed vocally, such as Confession and the Mass.
 
TheLittleLady said:
In our modern world, tech is available that would do text to speech. The pentitent may also speak in sign language, even if they have to do basic finger spelling, a sign language interpreter (who is also bound by the seal) may be used, there are many ways someone with no vocal speech can make confession.
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I suppose I am dating myself by referring to paper and pen, instead of an electronic device. If I were the priest, I would not require a mute person to bring an interpreter into the confessional. To my mind, any outward manifestation of sorrow — a written confession, nodding “yes” and “no” to my questions, striking one’s breast, and so on — would suffice for validity (if not, then a general absolution, such as administered to a group in extreme circumstances, can never be valid, and we know it is). But I am not the teaching Church, nor am I a theologian — armchair, yes, officially recognized, no 🤯
 
Yes, a list could be given to the priest. In that case, I think the Act of Contrition could be given in sign language.

Alternatively, an interpreter could be used, just like any other case where the priest and penitent don’t speak a common language.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
I would not require a mute person to bring an interpreter into the confessional.
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Our parish has ASL interpreters who we can call on if the person schedules confession ahead of time, they are also available at the big community penance services.
 
Wouldn’t an interpreter be a glaring violation of the sacramental seal?
 
As @TheLittleLady posted above, the interpreter would also be bound by the seal.
 
Having an interpreter in the confessional with the penitent and priest would be awful!

Can you imagine confessing your sins to the priest with someone else present in the room?

Can you imagine being the interpreter and having to hear another person’s sins?

Holy guacamole! Talk about developing the virtue of humility!
 
Nope. The church allows it.

However, the interpreter is also bound by the seal of confession in this case.
 
Every so often, I come across a question on here that really blows my mind, in a good way. I never really considered how someone that couldn’t speak would do confession…
 
I have been, on a few rare occasions by happenstance, the interpreter for other personal matters between a priest and an individual that are not confessions but almost as sensitive. It is simultaneously uncomfortable, humbling, and a blessing to minister in this way.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
If a penitent is mute (unable to speak), would it suffice for validity for them to write down their sins on a piece of paper and give it to the priest?
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Yes.
The point is to confess one’s sins, and they are doing that if they write them.
 
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Gertabelle said:
Having an interpreter in the confessional with the penitent and priest would be awful!

Can you imagine confessing your sins to the priest with someone else present in the room?

Can you imagine being the interpreter and having to hear another person’s sins?

Holy guacamole! Talk about developing the virtue of humility!
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Imagine having to use an interpreter everywhere - not just confession but doctors, lawyers, courts and so on.

I know courts often require specialised interpreters who have not only got a hugh level of fluency for the legal jargon but understand the requirements as far as confidentiality.

Tough job!
 
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I’m sure there were always cases of priests hearing deathbed or battlefield confessions where someone couldn’t talk but could nod or raise their hand. Didn’t something like that happen in the last part of Brideshead Revisited? The old guy who had left his wife and been living in sin for years repented in his last moments by gesturing. And was absolved.
 
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I am surprised they couldn’t just keyboard their communication to a shared computer monitor.
 
And the provision that an interpreter may be used, and also be under the seal of the confession, predates the modern tech age.
 
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