Confession time over, and no time for my confession

[Brendan_64]

I do still feel it unfair that when I stand in line for a half hour and don’t receive the possibility of confession that I am not able to receive. I did exactly what I was supposed to do. I feel he could have at least offered an absolution to those of us still standing there.

What the priest did or didn’t do is between him and God.

But how could you receive if you have an unconfessed mortal sin? It’s not a question of whether it is fair or not, it is just not possible because you haven’t received absolution. There isn’t an automatic absolution that applies if you meant to go to Confession, but something happened that prevented you going at that time. If your car broke down on the way to Confession and you were late, would that also be unfair?

Offer up a Spiritual Communion at Mass and go to Confession elsewhere.

The issue is not that the priest didn’t hear your Confession, the issue is that you committed a mortal sin. It is up to you to find somewhere to Confess it, and if you can’t get Confession in one place, you go somewhere else, or knock on a priest’s door if need be.

 

[oneseeker2]

Got to mass early (a miracle in itself) and received confession.

 

[JohnGerard]

Got to mass early (a miracle in itself) and received confession.

Great!!

 

[Faith1960]

This happens at this parish regularly. There are more people in line in confession than there is time to hear them. If I was not able to confess, can I still take the Eucharist tomorrow. It’s not my fault that the priest sent 5-6 of us away.

Oneseeker2

I try to get there early so I can have time to confess.

 

[PennyinCanada]

I feel he could have at least offered an absolution to those of us still standing there. The former associate priest of that parish, and a priest at a different parish have both done so. This priest didn’t seem to care.

That is not correct to do that.

 

[PennyinCanada]

A good spiritual practice, in all kinds of life circumstances, is to do this. …

1. I accept this cross, Jesus.
2. I thank you for this cross, Jesus.
3. I offer this cross for the salvation of sinners and peace in this world.

Use this as a time to gain merit. Hard to remember this when we are aggravated, annoyed, upset, but we’ll get better with effort and practice, which is why we are here. This is why we need to pray for each other, to grow in holiness.

 

[1ke]

I feel he could have at least offered an absolution to those of us still standing there.

He is not at liberty to do so.

The former associate priest of that parish, and a priest at a different parish have both done so.

It is a shame you got the impression this was something the priest could do. He cannot.

This priest didn’t seem to care.

This priest cares enough to do things properly.

 

[marymary1975]

As others Said, no you can’t take.communion… Though I should said that you should suggest to the priest to expand confession times. What you mention is.very.common.in my area. Confession time is just one hour a week.and is hard to get an appointment for.Confession. So a lot of.people at the end have to leave. Unfortunately many people.don’t.go.to.Confession because of this. I have never understood why in the US confession time.is.just one hour a week.

 

[Brendan_64]

What you mention is.very.common.in my area. Confession time is just one hour a week.and is hard to get an appointment for.Confession.

Under Church law a priest cannot deny you Confession unless he has an urgent matter to attend to (about to start Mass, or an urgent call from a dying person) and then he is obliged to see you afterwards. If you need urgent Confession (i.e. you are in a state of mortal sin) then go and knock on his door and ask for Confession there and then. The priest is obliged to hear your Confession, or at least hear your Confession after he has dealt with another urgent matter. It should not be a case of him fitting you into ‘Confession slots’ in his dairy.

 

[edward_george]

Under Church law a priest cannot deny you Confession unless he has an urgent matter to attend to (about to start Mass, or an urgent call from a dying person) and then he is obliged to see you afterwards. If you need urgent Confession (i.e. you are in a state of mortal sin) then go and knock on his door and ask for Confession there and then. The priest is obliged to hear your Confession, or at least hear your Confession after he has dealt with another urgent matter. It should not be a case of him fitting you into ‘Confession slots’ in his dairy.

Just to make it clear, what the law (Canon 843) actually says here is the sacraments are not to be denied “to those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.” So if you knock on Father’s door at 2:00 am or ask for confession in the men’s room or on a crowded street, he’s within reason and the law to refuse, at least for the moment.

-ACEGC

 

[marymary1975]

Under Church law a priest cannot deny you Confession unless he has an urgent matter to attend to (about to start Mass, or an urgent call from a dying person) and then he is obliged to see you afterwards. If you need urgent Confession (i.e. you are in a state of mortal sin) then go and knock on his door and ask for Confession there and then. The priest is obliged to hear your Confession, or at least hear your Confession after he has dealt with another urgent matter. It should not be a case of him fitting you into ‘Confession slots’ in his dairy.

I know that but again, in reality, at least in my area is not that easy. To get an appointment for.Confession is a nightmare. You have to get it weeks in advance, there are many other people fighting for appointments and it is hard to get a spot. That is one thing that I dint like. And let me.tell you, I understand that by appointment may be very difficult to fit so many people.when you have so many obligations.so I am not surprised that it is hard to get appointments…but then why they don’t do.like everywhere else in the world.and have confessions.before, during and after mass? I don’t.get it.

 

[Brendan_64]

I know that but again, in reality, at least in my area is not that easy. To get an appointment for.Confession is a nightmare. You have to get it weeks in advance, there are many other people fighting for appointments and it is hard to get a spot. That is one thing that I dint like. And let me.tell you, I understand that by appointment may be very difficult to fit so many people.when you have so many obligations.so I am not surprised that it is hard to get appointments…but then why they don’t do.like everywhere else in the world.and have confessions.before, during and after mass? I don’t.get it.

That sounds dreadful. Do the clergy there not realise the implications of someone dying with an unconfessed mortal sin on their soul? Someone asking for Confession ought to be treated as a spiritual emergency.