Does a priest have to be in a state of grace to absolve my sins

[dizzy_dave]

When I go to confession and confess my sins does the priest have to be in a state of grace (without mortal sin) to forgive me my sins (absolution)? If so and the priest is not in a state of grace what happens to my sins? Are they forgiven or not?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Dave,

The answer is no, he does not. This issue, called the Donatist Controversy, was resolved a long time ago. If we were dependent upon the state of the priest’s soul we could never be sure of the efficacy of the sacraments. The Church’s teaching is that the sacraments are efficacious ex opere operto – that is, that the sacraments are actually effected by Jesus who is working through the priest, deacon or layperson who is administering the sacrament.

Deacon Ed

 

[Church_Militant]

dizzy_dave:

When I go to confession and confess my sins does the priest have to be in a state of grace (without mortal sin) to forgive me my sins (absolution)? If so and the priest is not in a state of grace what happens to my sins? Are they forgiven or not?

Nope…