Confession in a foreign language

[dans0622]

Rather…seek out a priest with whom one can communicate (in english or what you know of his language etc). Ordinarily one need to be able to confess ones mortal sins in a way that can be understood. For the Priest is also a *judge *and such are required to be confessed etc and then he can give the penance etc.
…

Yes. Even though there might be some disagreement as to what the “matter” of this Sacrament is, (is the confession of sins by the penitent necessary matter, or is the presence of contrition all that is fundamentally required on the part of the penitent?) the Council of Trent speaks of the acts of the penitent “constituting as it were the matter of the Sacrament”–contrition, confession and satisfaction. That “as it were the matter” (ie, quasi-matter), is the source of some disagreement.

From session 14: “Canon 4. If anyone denies that for the full and perfect remission of sins three acts are required on the part of the penitent, constituting as it were the matter of the sacrament of penance, namely, contrition, confession and satisfaction, which are called the three parts of penance; or says that there are only two parts of penance, namely, the terrors of a smitten conscience convinced of sin and the faith received from the Gospel or from absolution, by which one believes that his sins are forgiven him through Christ, let him be anathema.”

“Canon 9. If anyone says … that the confession of the penitent is not necessary in order that the priest may be able to absolve him, let him be anathema.”

It stands to reason that the only way a confession is really a confession is if the priest knows what has been confessed. If this confession is a necessary part of the matter of this sacrament, it must be present for validity. If, on the other hand, the only fundamentally required act of the penitent is contrition, the confessor would not need to understand anything.

I would think that one in a state of mortal sin must confess and the confessor must know what that sin is. You can get out a list of the 10 Commandments and point and hold up a number with your fingers, at least.

If it is impossible to confess, there is no requirement to do so. Such a person would have to be content with making a perfect act of contrition until the situation changes.

Dan

 

[BcuzISaidSo]

I went to confession in a small village where the CAtholic priest could not speak any English at all. However, I started to say the beginning prayer and noticed he was looking at me rather strangely so I asked “Anglais”? as this was the only spanish word I cou;d think of. He shook his head no, but waved hs hands and gave the OK sign and pointed to his head and the sky saying “Dios” and pointing over again at his head with a smile. I understood that God could understand what I said and Jesus would absolve my sins. He motioned for me to continue with my confession, so I did. Even though he could not understand my words, he listened intently, then when I stopped talking, he absolved me from my sins, I made an act of contrition and he told me with ten fingers “Ave Maria” so I knew the penance I should pray. I know this was a valid confession. I then attended Mass in Spanish and knew exactly what was happening. I prayed in English The Confetior and the Gloria and the Holy, Holy Holy and Lamb of God. No problem. There was no one present that spoke English as far as I could tell but it was a beautful witness to our one holy Catholic church. The Mass was still just as beautiful and reminded me a lot of my youthful days when Mass was all in Latin.

This priest was spot on!