Confession When Travelling Abroad (Question)

[Jordan_Francis]

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow I fly out to Germany to study for several months at university. As of yet, I know no German.

Obviously I will find a parish to attend in Germany, but what if I can not find a priest who speaks English- how can I confess? Is it possible to confess if the priest does not understand what I am saying?

Must I find a priest who speaks English, and, if I can not, how does this affect my reception of the Eucharist if, at some point, I find that I need the Sacrament of Penance?

Thanks,

Pax Christi vobiscum

 

[Spirithound]

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow I fly out to Germany to study for several months at university. As of yet, I know no German.

Obviously I will find a parish to attend in Germany, but what if I can not find a priest who speaks English- how can I confess? Is it possible to confess if the priest does not understand what I am saying?

Must I find a priest who speaks English, and, if I can not, how does this affect my reception of the Eucharist if, at some point, I find that I need the Sacrament of Penance?

It is not necessary that the priest speaks the same language as you to hear your confession. I guess you and the priest will each know your parts to say, and perhaps he might use Latin to give you a penance (decem Ave ??). There may be a pamphlet in the church giving the words to use in confession. I’m sure that you could find it on the internet, but I couldn’t

 

[AJV]

Jordan Francis;5637182:

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow I fly out to Germany to study for several months at university. As of yet, I know no German.

Obviously I will find a parish to attend in Germany, but what if I can not find a priest who speaks English- how can I confess? Is it possible to confess if the priest does not understand what I am saying?

Must I find a priest who speaks English, and, if I can not, how does this affect my reception of the Eucharist if, at some point, I find that I need the Sacrament of Penance?

It is not necessary that the priest speaks the same language as you to hear your confession. I guess you and the priest will each know your parts to say, and perhaps he might use Latin to give you a penance (decem Ave ??). There may be a pamphlet in the church giving the words to use in confession. I’m sure that you could find it on the internet, but I couldn’t

It is necessary for the priest to have some understanding of the penitent – and
I doubt some priests nowadays even know Latin. The priest can use a translator who is bound by the secrecy of the confession. I think though that it would be very difficult, or at least,. not very easy, to find a priest. explain the matter, get a trustworthy translator, etc.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

My guess is that you won’t have any trouble finding a priest who is either totally fluent in English or sufficiently fluent for you to be able to confess. Many Europeans speak English.

 

[FrDavid96]

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow I fly out to Germany to study for several months at university. As of yet, I know no German.

Obviously I will find a parish to attend in Germany, but what if I can not find a priest who speaks English- how can I confess? Is it possible to confess if the priest does not understand what I am saying?

Must I find a priest who speaks English, and, if I can not, how does this affect my reception of the Eucharist if, at some point, I find that I need the Sacrament of Penance?

Thanks,

Pax Christi vobiscum

Try contacting the US military chaplain at the nearest installation. Most Germans who live near US installations (or former locations) likewise speak English.

Worst case scenario: mention the relevant number in German from the 10 Commandments. But that realy would be worst case scenario in the extreme.

 

[apromisemade]

My guess is that you won’t have any trouble finding a priest who is either totally fluent in English or sufficiently fluent for you to be able to confess. Many Europeans speak English.

I agree. An exchange student from Austria came to my high school a few years ago and spoke near perfect english the first day he arrived, just from studying it in school. And allegedly that’s pretty common.

 

[James_Miller]

Any college educated German knows enough English. There is no problem.

 

[stuart12]

Germany should be fine to find an English speaking priest.
It would be worse if you were in France, because even if they can speak English, they seem to be reluctant to.

 

[LilyM]

Any college educated German knows enough English. There is no problem.

It’s true most Germans speak English just fine. If you get stuck, contact your nearest American military base (as has been suggested) or else your nearest American, British, Australian or Canadian embassy or consulate, they should be able to help you locate an English-speaking priest as well.

 

[dancny]

I spent many years in the Navy and I never had a problem finding an english speaking priest. If you are going to a reasonably large city there should be a priest who speaks enough english. I would try the largest church in the area if for no other reason they would have tourists. if your staying at a hotel ask the front desk. It is their job to find these things out if the place is above a hostel. If it IS a hostel they may know anyway.It may take effort, but it is more than likely very doable.

Have a fun, safe trip. may God’s peace go with you.

 

[Brendan]

Jordan,

One other option is to send an email to the chancellory office of the diocese where you are going to be at and ask for recommendations on priests who have sufficent English skills to hear a confession.