Confession with a language barrier

[Sgt_Sweaters]

I think I know the answer to this question, but here it is. How much does a priest have to understand of the penitent’s confession in order to issue absolution? I confessed to a priest who is foreign, and chiefly ministers to immigrants of his ethnicity in this country. During our back-and-forth I wasn’t entirely sure how much of what I said he fully “got”. Does this affect the validity of absolution issued? I’m guessing “no,” and have gone on living as if the answer is “no,” but am still curious.

 

[maryj]

I had the same thing happen once, then talked to a priest friend and he told me that the priest would have never absolved me had he not understood.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I think I know the answer to this question, but here it is. How much does a priest have to understand of the penitent’s confession in order to issue absolution?

None

I confessed to a priest who is foreign, and chiefly ministers to immigrants of his ethnicity in this country. During our back-and-forth I wasn’t entirely sure how much of what I said he fully “got”. Does this affect the validity of absolution issued?

No.

 

[puzzleannie]

I During our back-and-forth I wasn’t entirely sure how much of what I said he fully “got”. Does this affect the validity of absolution issued? I’m guessing “no,” and have gone on living as if the answer is “no,” but am still curious.

you are right, the sacrament is valid if you confess and the priest absolves you. You might miss out on some counsel that might have been helpful, and have to guess at your penance, but neither of these is essential as long as you did your best to fully confess your sins.