Is a person forgiven even though a Priest uses the wrong words for Absolution?

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Hello, I went to Confession today and the Priest, who I have gone to for Confession many times, changed the middle words of absolution. I think instead of saying may God grant you pardon and peace, he said your sins are forgiven (my name) and I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Is that still valid? Also, if a priest does mess up the words but you legitimately don’t know if he did are you still in a state of mortal sin? It’s not the penitent’s fault and they are asking for God’s forgiveness. Thank you.
 
Yes, it is valid. He absolved you in the name of the Trinity.
 
green889 said:
Hello, I went to Confession today and the Priest, who I have gone to for Confession many times, changed the middle words of absolution. I think instead of saying may God grant you pardon and peace, he said your sins are forgiven (my name) and I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Is that still valid? Also, if a priest does mess up the words but you legitimately don’t know if he did are you still in a state of mortal sin? It’s not the penitent’s fault and they are asking for God’s forgiveness. Thank you.
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The base form for an absolution is, “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” In fact, I am quite sure that, “May God grant you pardon and peace,” is not valid, because it doesn’t mention a lick about absolution in the name of the Trinity… Perhaps you are used to hearing the latter most commonly. All in all, no reason to worry, because your absolution was most definitely valid. If he used to use the other statement, perhaps he has stopped now, because I’m pretty sure it’s wrong.
 
Thanks. But what if the priest totally says it wrong? If you don’t realize it then are you still absolved? I’m asking in general.
 
green889 said:
Thanks. But what if the priest totally says it wrong? If you don’t realize it then are you still absolved? I’m asking in general.
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If you don’t realize it, no, you are not absolved. However, I do not think you would be culpable in that case, and those sins would be forgiven the next time you go to confession and get a proper absolution anyways, along with whatever sins you will have committed in the interim.
 
green889 said:
Thanks. But what if the priest totally says it wrong? If you don’t realize it then are you still absolved? I’m asking in general.
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You’re absolved. Any mis-wording/misstatements is on the priest, not you.

If you persist in this line of thinking, contact your spiritual director.

Luna
 
This is the prayer of absoultion.
Prayer of Absolution
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and 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.
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From what I understand after talking to a few priests, so long as the words the “I absolve you of you sins in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit…”
are said, you are good. Whatever else the priest says really doesn’t matter.
 
green889 said:
Thanks. But what if the priest totally says it wrong? If you don’t realize it then are you still absolved? I’m asking in general.
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Don’t indulge in scrupulous thinking. You’ll drink yourself crazy.

You’re absolved. If you have any questions about the specifics, bring it up with your spiritual director.

Luna
 
Luna_Lovecraft said:
Don’t indulge in scrupulous thinking. You’ll drink yourself crazy.

You’re absolved. If you have any questions about the specifics, bring it up with your spiritual director.

Luna
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Well, no. You’re not absolved because you want to be absolved. You’re absolved when the priest says the right words. If he doesn’t, you’re not absolved, period. There is such a thing, imo, as healthy scrupulosity.
 
I have it on the authority of a good and holy (and very conservative) priest friend of mine that what matters is the intention of the priest.

The priest intended to absolve you of your sins. He even said so. Whether or not he used the precise form of wording written in the rubrics does not change that which he is divinely authorised to do by virtue of his ordination.

He forgave you of your sins in the name of the Trinity. That’s all you need to know.

You ARE forgiven. You DID receive absolution. There is NO question about it.
 
YoungTradCath said:
Well, no. You’re not absolved because you want to be absolved. You’re absolved when the priest says the right words. If he doesn’t, you’re not absolved, period. There is such a thing, imo, as healthy scrupulosity.
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Scrupulosity is a psychological disease that results in pathological guilt about religious issues. It is distressing, causes dysfunctional behavior patterns, and oftentimes leaves its sufferers unable to function normally in social and day-to-day interactions.

As such, there is no “healthy scrupulosity.” Suggesting there is does no service to the Catholic suffers of this disorder who frequent these forums. Frankly, it’s cruel.

As for the OP’s absolution, we strangers on the Internet can go around all night as to whether he’s absolved or not, but our “yes he is/no he isn’t” arguments don’t matter a fig. It’s up to the priest, and in the end the OP needs to bring up his concerns with him or his spiritual director.

Luna
 
green889 said:
Thanks. But what if the priest totally says it wrong? If you don’t realize it then are you still absolved? I’m asking in general.
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Whatever he says as long as he says** I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit** it is valid.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
This is the prayer of absoultion.

From what I understand after talking to a few priests, so long as the words the “I absolve you of you sins in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit…”
are said, you are good. Whatever else the priest says really doesn’t matter.
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That is what I have been told also.

On the other hand I am somewhat deaf so usually don’t hear what he says. Also, for many years it was in Latin so I didn’t understand it. I do my part and figure God has to take some responsibility…
 
If priests would just say the black and do the red, issues like this wouldn’t come up. I’m just sayin’ 🤷
 
YoungTradCath said:
😃 Oh, the times we live in!
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Not really, “back in the day” people had no idea if the priest had mispronounced the Latin or skipped words. Its only because its in English that we know exactly what the priest says…
 
NewEnglandPries said:
Not really, “back in the day” people had no idea if the priest had mispronounced the Latin or skipped words. Its only because its in English that we know exactly what the priest says…
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You’re right. But I learned the formula of absolution in Latin to protect myself in that case. I don’t doubt that bad things still happened back in the day. I know they did. We just have to be proactive now.
 
NewEnglandPries said:
Not really, “back in the day” people had no idea if the priest had mispronounced the Latin or skipped words. Its only because its in English that we know exactly what the priest says…
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Not really. I’m no Latin expert, but I know as long as I hear, “Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spiritus Sancti. Amen” I know I’ve been absolved.
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
Not really. I’m no Latin expert, but I know as long as I hear, “Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spiritus Sancti. Amen” I know I’ve been absolved.
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You might not be a Latin expert but if you know that then you know more than most did…
 
I have heard many different responses to this question over time. I guess, personally, I look at it this way. If I go to confession, and the priest doesn’t say the exact right words of absolution, I am still absolved. I’ve never had this happen, however, I truly believe that God knows the priests, as well as my intentions. It’s not a magical incantation, and I put enough faith in or Lord to believe he is not going to hold something against me that I can’t control. 🙂
 
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