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BenSinner
Guest
If someone confessed to someone who is pretending to be a priest, and the person confessing believed them to be a real priest, would their absolution be valid?
If one unknowingly confesses to an imposter priest, will their sins be forgiven?
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Elf01
Guest
Since God is merciful and the person was truly contrite I think they would be forgiven if they were to die without finding out. However if they did find out they would have to confess the sins from that confession again.
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Arkansan
Guest
No. Though those sins would be absolved at the person’s next confession (assuming he had no idea what happened).
Tis_Bearself
Patron
There was actually an entire novel about this situation called “The Left Hand of God” some years ago. A criminal on the run poses as a priest and ends up hearing all kinds of confessions.
I agree with Elf01’s response.
I agree with Elf01’s response.
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margaret42
Guest
The penitent came in looking for God’s forgiveness. I believe forgiveness would be granted if there was no knowledge of the priest’s false identity.
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Ardent_Fire
Guest
“Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been one month since my last confession, only I just found out that priest was fake.”
Wait… what?
Wait… what?
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Entwhistler
Guest
The “fake” priest has no power to absolve sins anymore than he has the power to consecrate the Eucharist. However, like everyone else is saying, Christ will hopefully understand that the penitent had no idea and will forgive the sinner. But, we can never know so better to go to a real priest to be on the safe side.
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Noted_Touch
Guest
This is a good question and a serious one. How do we have a ‘fake’ priest. Now, we have priests who we have found to be in grave sin - ie sexual impropriety - but even though they are engage in mortal sin - apostolic succession trumps their sin - so confession and the consecration of the Eucharist are still valid. Some who have been involved in serious improprieties continue to serve as priests, but they are not imposter priest - probably only penitent ones. (smile)
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OsculeturMeOsculo
Guest
I think they mean someone who is not a priest but pretends to be one.
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DarkLight
Guest
In this case it would be someone who claims to be a priest, but lacks a valid ordination.
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Gorgias
Guest
And, to add fuel to the fire, he’s someone who is committing the grave sin of “simulating a sacrament.”
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Mary888
Guest
It is possible that the sins may or may not be forgiven but this was not a Sacrament, just a discussion between two well-intended people. The priest has to be ordained, otherwise he has no Apostolic Succession. The Succession comes as a gift of the Holy Spirit not through the imagination of the person imagining they have it.
In theory you can confess your sins at home in front of an icon and they may be forgiven but in order to access the certainty of what happens you need the Sacrament not just someone who says you are forgiven.
In theory you can confess your sins at home in front of an icon and they may be forgiven but in order to access the certainty of what happens you need the Sacrament not just someone who says you are forgiven.
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Augustinian
Guest
There have been a few such cases identified, like this gentleman out in California. Mr. Mena got pinched by the civil authorities for defrauding people. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one.
The man who portrayed the “Guido Sarducci” character on TV got busted in costume in Italy for impersonating a priest. Its against the law there, and that means that others have done it.
No, the absolution would not be valid. It can be argued that the penitent is forgiven but he is not absolved. Absolution requires not only the power of holy orders, but also the proper juridical faculties given by the Church.
If such a person were to never find out that he had confessed to an impostor, all his sins would be absolved at his next valid confession. If he does realize at any point that he had confessed to an impostor, he would need to mention those sins again at his next confession.
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BenSinner
Guest
Is it possible for the devil to pose as a priest giving confessions? I’ve heard different stories from the saints of them trying to be tricked by the devil who would pose as their fellow friars, mother superiors, bishops, etc.
Sometimes I wonder that when I confess in front of a screen “What if the priest isn’t actually on the other side?”
The intent of the devil would to trick someone into thinking they have been confessed and forgiven, but havent…thus the devil wants to keep them in a state of mortal sin.
Sometimes I wonder that when I confess in front of a screen “What if the priest isn’t actually on the other side?”
The intent of the devil would to trick someone into thinking they have been confessed and forgiven, but havent…thus the devil wants to keep them in a state of mortal sin.
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