Formula for valid confession?

[johnnyt3000]

If a priest and I are just talking/discussing something, while at the same time, I am basically confessing my sins, I say “basically” because I am also saying what I would say if it was a formal sacrament of reconciliation, without formally initiating the sacrament of confession (“bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was…”), and the priest gives me absolution, and I am aware that I’m confessing my sins in a way, and the priest let’s me know before absolution by saying “anything else you want to confess?”, would the confession still be valid and my sins absolved? What does the CCC and/or Canon Law say?

 

[Ad_Orientem]

CIC and CCC do not mention this scenario, however, for validity of the sacrament it is not necessary that the penitent say certain words using an exact formula. He only has to have contrition, confess all mortal sins in kind and number, and at least intend to make satisfaction as prescribed by the priest (cf. CCC 1448). The priest, however, does have to follow a formula. In the Latin Church, probably the bare minimum for validity would be “I absolve you from your sins,” although without a serious reason (such as danger of death) it would be illicit to tamper with the formula.

 

[runningdude]

If a priest and I are just talking/discussing something, while at the same time, I am basically confessing my sins, I say “basically” because I am also saying what I would say if it was a formal sacrament of reconciliation, without formally initiating the sacrament of confession (“bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was…”), and the priest gives me absolution, and I am aware that I’m confessing my sins in a way, and the priest let’s me know before absolution by saying “anything else you want to confess?”, would the confession still be valid and my sins absolved? What does the CCC and/or Canon Law say?

Generally, a priest would ask your permission before offering absolution, so that there would be no confusion as to what was happening.

 

[Joannm]

Generally, a priest would ask your permission before offering absolution, so that there would be no confusion as to what was happening.

I ave been going to confession for over 50 years and never heard of this or experienced a priest asking permission to absolve me.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

I ave been going to confession for over 50 years and never heard of this or experienced a priest asking permission to absolve me.

I think he meant, if the confession of sins took place within a private conversation, and not in the formal context of the Rite of Penance, then the priest could be expected to announce that he was going to offer absolution.

Personally, I’d feel uncomfortable if during the course of a mere private conversation, a priest proceeded to offer absolution. Reason being, had I been making a formal confession, I might have examined my conscience more carefully or included other necessary or important details which were omitted because it was only a private conversation. On the other hand, the priest may have thought I was making a formal confession.

This sort of confusion and awkwardness is why the Church requires that a confession take place in a confessional (at least in the Latin Church) and according to the prescribed formula, unless there is a weighty reason not to do so. I don’t know what the requirements are for confessions in the Eastern rites.

 

[babochka]

**This sort of confusion and awkwardness is why the Church requires that a confession take place in a confessional **(at least in the Latin Church) and according to the prescribed formula, unless there is a weighty reason not to do so. I don’t know what the requirements are for confessions in the Eastern rites.

Is this actually the reason that the Church gives for the requirement that, under ordinary circumstances, that confession is to take place in a church or oratory? To avoid confusion about whether or not the sacrament actually occurred?

The wording of the the canon is “just”, as opposed to “weighty”. Weighty would imply a serious reason, but just seems, at least to me, a considerably lower standard, particularly when canon law is full of words such as “serious” and “grave”. I interpret “just cause” to mean “good reason”.

964 §1. The proper place to hear sacramental confessions is a church or oratory.

§2. The conference of bishops is to establish norms regarding the confessional; it is to take care, however, that there are always confessionals with a fixed grate between the penitent and the confessor in an open place so that the faithful who wish to can use them freely.

§3. Confessions are not to be heard outside a confessional without a just cause.

 

[babochka]

If a priest and I are just talking/discussing something, while at the same time, I am basically confessing my sins, I say “basically” because I am also saying what I would say if it was a formal sacrament of reconciliation, without formally initiating the sacrament of confession (“bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was…”), and the priest gives me absolution, and I am aware that I’m confessing my sins in a way, and the priest let’s me know before absolution by saying “anything else you want to confess?”, would the confession still be valid and my sins absolved? What does the CCC and/or Canon Law say?

I’ve had something similar happen. I was having a conversation with my pastor about a particular situation that was troubling me. As I continued, I made an off-hand comment that I hadn’t really expected this to be confession, but I guess that it was becoming one. It became obvious in the course of our conversation that I was confessing, so absolution seemed the appropriate way to end the meeting. It certainly isn’t the “normal” way to go about it, but it was absolutely valid - I confessed my sins and the priest absolved me. I never had any reason to question the validity.

I have a friend who always goes to confession this way. She really struggles with the faith and attends church sporadically. Sometimes, when the Holy Spirit calls her and life has gotten her down, she’ll stop by just to talk to the priest. She ends up pouring her heart out in confession. She doesn’t generally intend to confess. She’s not necessarily aware of her need to confess when she shows up, but the priest gently leads her there during their conversation. What a wonderful opportunity he sees to lead a soul to repentance! Should he instead tell her that if she wishes to go to confession, she can come back at a scheduled time or make an appointment? No, he takes the opportunity to offer God’s grace in the sacrament at the time and place that God has sent him that soul.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Is this actually the reason that the Church gives…

Not to my knowledge. What I meant is that when priests don’t go by the book, confusion and awkwardness tend to ensue. There are good reasons for having things set up in a formal way.

… “just”, as opposed to “weighty” …

Fair enough. I was trying to get away from “good reason,” because it’s easy to justify any decision whatever as good. (Do we, in fact, choose anything but what we perceive as good?)

 

[runningdude]

I ave been going to confession for over 50 years and never heard of this or experienced a priest asking permission to absolve me.

The OP is discussing a scenario outside a confessional, where an informal discussion involves discussion of sin. A priest should not presume to offer absolution during such a discussion without permission. The confessional is the formal location for confession, and no added permission is needed.