Do I have to go back to Confession?

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Laurarb

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I went to Confession and the priest forgot to absolve me of my sins. Did they get forgiven or do I have to go back to Confession and do it again?
 
That’s hard to believe, frankly. Did you confess your sins and then he just said, “have a nice day” or something? You should have stayed and reminded him to complete the confession. Do you think he has Alzheimers or something? On the chance he’s done this to others, I would speak with him about it, or with someone else at the parish. And yes, go back to confession with another priest.
 
Yes he pretty much did say “have a nice day.” I didn’t realize it until after I left the confessional. He does have memory problems.
 
Then I would definitely speak to your pastor. Poor guy. But others may also be being short changed in the confessional.
 
Laurarb said:
I went to Confession and the priest forgot to absolve me of my sins. Did they get forgiven or do I have to go back to Confession and do it again?
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I would definitely go again. I think it’s clearly not your fault, but my understanding is that if the priest does not say “I absolve you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost” or words to that effect, then the sacrament is not valid.
 
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That is not Catholic teaching. Remember, this is a Catholic asking for advice. Why would you even post that?
 
See my post in this thread.

Admittedly the OP’s situation is slightly different - it’s not just the question of the wrong words but no words at all (at least not audible ones)! In fairness, the priest could just have said the words of absolution (very) quietly while you were saying the act of contrition (assuming there was one 😲)… For the avoidance of doubt, bring it up at your next confession - just say something like: “at my last confession, Father, I’m not sure the priest said the words of absolution”.
 
I went in the open confessional. He definitely did not say anything remotely close to absolution.
 
We do not believe “Once saved, always saved.” Going to confession only absolves you of the sins you committed up to that date, not future sins.

You have to go to confession every time you sin, or at least periodically to confess all the sins you have committed since your last confession.

And of course you must go to confession at least once a year, during Lent.
 
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