Confessional: Priest

  • Thread starter Thread starter anrmenchaca47
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

anrmenchaca47

Guest
So I went to confession today and I noticed the priest rather rushed in because he was filling in for another one. Anyway, I go in, confess my sins and he says “I forgive you” but does not say what the priest usually says at the end of the confession which is “ and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now go in peace” were my sins forgiven?
 
anrmenchaca47 said:
So I went to confession today and I noticed the priest rather rushed in because he was filling in for another one. Anyway, I go in, confess my sins and he says “I forgive you” but does not say what the priest usually says at the end of the confession which is “ and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now go in peace” were my sins forgiven?
Click to expand...
The priest must say:

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
 
Last edited:
Yah this is unbelievable this happened if it did how the OP described.
However I believe his sins are still forgiven since it isn’t the persons fault the priest didn’t use the correct formula.
 
That is weird. The priest has to use the Trinitarian formula.
 
The sacraments have to have proper form to be valid. It’s not the person’s fault but it is their problem, unfortunately.

So for example we wouldn’t say that if someone were baptized in the name of Jesus only rather than in Tinitarian form that “oh well it’s not their fault”. In fact, the church baptises those people because they are unbaptized.
 
Last edited:
I know this is out of the topic, but just wanted to tell you that I’m glad to see we have the same profile photo. Cool!
 
Have you seen him before? From what you wrote, I wonder if he is a real priest. If he is, then I wonder if he was not in his right mind. I would be concerned.
 
Last edited:
Bear in mind here that priests may offer the absolution in a whispered voice as the act of contrition is being offered. As well, we have exactly half the story.
 
po18guy said:
Bear in mind here that priests may offer the absolution in a whispered voice as the act of contrition is being offered. As well, we have exactly half the story.
Click to expand...
It doesn’t matter. The OP didn’t hear the correct form of absolution so validity is doubtful and the sins should be reconfessed.
 
Yes but this is a form of Docetism what you are proposing, which Saint Augustine spoke against.
The notion that if a priest does something wrong or is in a state of sin, his sins make the sacraments invalid for the rest of the Church.
For example, one time on Ascension my priest forgot to say the Creed at mass when it was a Solemnity. He made an honest mistake. This means that the mass itself wasn’t said completely as prescribed, but it doesn’t mean the parishioners must now go again because the priest himself made a mistake.
It is the same here I think; God knows the person made the will to go to Confession and did confess their sins. Yes the formula was wrong but I think this is a case of valid yet illicit. I mean I would call a priest and find out for sure but I think his confession was valid. Plus most other casual Catholics who went and had this happen probably are unaware of the issue. You believe God is going to punish them for the priests error? The priest should have known better, this is something he should probably have to confess.
Did this person even make sure this was really a priest and not some imposter playing a sick game when there was no priest there? I find it hard to believe a priest would make this error and just say “I forgive your sins”.
 
Last edited:
Thomasbradley312 said:
Yes but this is a form of Docetism what you are proposing, which Saint Augustine spoke against.
Click to expand...
I am not espousing Docetism. For each of the sacraments there are elements which must be present. For confession to be valid on of those elements is the prayer of absolution. The priest accidentally misspeaking a word or two wouldn’t invalidate the confession. Substituting his own prayer would. Here is a Canon lawyer on the subject: http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2018/05...f-the-priest-changes-the-words-of-absolution/

Just like your example. Omitting the Creed when it is required by the missal doesn’t invalidate the mass. However omiting the words “THIS IS MY BODY” would.

Certain parts of the rites are necessary for there to be a valid sacrament.
 
The OP heard words of forgiveness. His intent was to confess and he did confess. If the priest uttered the act of absolution queitly (and charity demands that we assume that), it is absolutely valid. At next confesssion, the OP can mention this to the next priest.

I think we are being far too critical here.
 
po18guy said:
(and charity demands that we assume that),
Click to expand...
Prudence demands we don’t. In this case the wording makes the difference between the OP being in the state of grace or not. I’m not going to risk assuming I’m in the state of grace when I may not be.
 
You should refer to my link. The exact words “I absolve you of your sin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” must be present.

The church lays down specific requirements for when a sacrament has taken place so that when those elements are present we can be absolutely certain we have received a sacrament. It’s not a matter of judging anyone.

Your point about God being merciful is well taken, but I believe it’s misguided. The person must reconfess. However if they didn’t know that they needed to reconfess then all of their sins would still be forgiven at their next confession. Because in falsely believing the validity of their prior confession, they confessed all unconfessed mortal sins to the best of their knowledge.
 
OP has already been counseled to mention it to the next priest. Anything beyond that risks lapsing into gossip or murmuring. Therefore, I’m…

…out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top