I do realize that priests must have jurisdiction to hear confessions. My question is this…If a validly ordained priest hears confessions, are those confessions valid…even though they may be illicit:
I do realize that priests must have jurisdiction to hear confessions. My question is this…If a validly ordained priest hears confessions, are those confessions valid…even though they may be illicit:
My opinion here. In the celebration of the Sacraments you must have the proper Minister defined by the Church along with Form, Matter and Intent. The Church defines the valid celebration of the Sacraments. If I were to obtain Sacred Chrism, lay my hand on a person seeking Confirmation say the proper words and anoint them with the Sacred Chrism. Nothing happens because the Church also says that I am not the proper Minister for the sacrament of Confirmation. For the proper celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation a person (outside of certain special defined circumstances) must be an Ordained priest with faculties and the Sacrament must be administered with the proper Form, Matter and Intent. Does God act outside of His Sacraments? Yes. So if a person goes to Confession not knowing that the priest is not authorized to hear Confessions are their sins forgiven? Probably but no Sacrament is celebrated and no Sacramental Grace is received. If done with knowledge and full intent is probably the sin of sacrilege.
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