Confession in a Foreign Country?

[3Kid]

Hi! I’m currently living abroad, in Asia. I’ve been wanting/needing to go to confession for a long time, but I can’t seem to find it in English, and I don’t speak the local language.
My local parish only offers mass in the local language, and while I attend mass with no problem, the priest doesn’t speak a single word of English. There is an English mass at our cathedral, but looking at their website, they only offer confession in the local language(s); no times are listed for English.

Does anyone have any advice? The last time I went to confession was on vacation to a country with a larger English-speaking population. Should I wait until I travel again? Or take a trip to the cathedral, hoping to find a priest who speaks English (beyond the words of the mass)? Or translate my confession? (Is that valid?)

 

[HeDa]

Go to Mass in the Cathedral and ask the priest to hear your confession. It is always possible to make an appointment for confession if there are no official times in a specific language. That priest might even invite you to gatherings for English speakers that are not advertised.

Contact the office of the diocese. They should know which priests speaks English or any other language. My diocese has a directory of the missions and it is easy to find a priest who speak any of those languages.

I have had several parish members and visitors ask me if I know a priest who speaks X or Y language or if there is a Mass in Z language somewhere. Sometimes I have told them to ask our parish priest (or I’ve translated) for contact details to Father A or Father B. Ask parishoners if they know a priest who speaks English.

 

[OraLabora]

May I ask which city? I’m only familiar with Seoul, where there was an international school and church run by Franciscans. They offered Mass and confession in multiple languages including English. Perhaps a similar mission exists in your city.

Or perhaps you figure out how to write your sins in the local language to give to the priest.

 

[3Kid]

Taichung, Taiwan

 

[3Kid]

I should probably go to the cathedral. It’s a ways away, but it’ll be worth it if I can find confession. I’ve been before, and there is a community of English speakers… but my job has inconsistent hours, so I haven’t been able to go to any events/groups in English.

 

[Reuben_J]

Even though it says Confession in a local language, you can speak in English. Since there is an English mass, there would be priest who can understand English.

 

[Bluebright]

When you do find an English priest for confession it might do to ask his advice for next time, especially if it is a distance to go. Maybe he travels? or knows of other priests closer, perhaps retired or some such who may be able to help. Just an idea cos we have a retired priest living at our parish who does the odd thing for our parish and nearby parishes but isn’t officially listed on our parish website but as he speaks many languages he would/could be called into service. My point being he is an unknown source, lol, except to those in the know. So don’t lose hope you may not have to do a big trip each time. Good luck and prayers

 

[thistle]

Taichung, Taiwan

There are English Masses here in Taichung Diocese so presumably you would find a priest who can hear your Confession in English.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior Sanmin Road
Immaculate Conception Church Fushing Road
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Chinghai Road
St. Patrick Church Chungshan Road
St. Bernadette Church Chennan Road
Holy Cross Church Minsheng Road
Holy Family Church Chungshan Road
Christ the King Church Wenchang Street