Is despair a reserved sin? Can one be absolved of despair by confessing it to any priest? I realize that if one is unaware of a reserved sin, then it can be absolved.
Despair is not a “reserved sin” and can be absolved by any priest.
Since the 1983 Code of Canon Law the term “reserved sin” is no longer applicable. The code no longer uses that term but instead refers to “reserved penalties.” Certain sins are not just sins but also considered canonical “crimes” and thus receive canonical penalties that need to be lifted. Most reserved penalties can be lifted by the local Bishop, some are reserved to the Pope. In the case of danger of death any priest can remit validly and licitly virtually all penalties (canon 976).
In the situation of sins that are accompanied by a penalty that is reserved to the local Bishop, the local Bishop can grant the faculty of lifting the penalty to some or all of the priests of his diocese.
Sins that carry a canonical penalty are:
apostasy, heresy, schism
violation of consecrated species
physical attack on the pope or bishop
a priest who absolves of an accomplice
unauthorized ordination of a bishop
direct violation by a confessor of the seal of confession
formal cooperation in an abortion
anyone who reveals the overheard confession of another
pretended celebration of the Eucharist by a non-priest
attempt to hear confession by one who cannot validly do so
false accusation of the crime of solicitation in the confessional
attempted marriage by a religious or cleric
In the USA it can be generally assumed that the local Bishop has delegated the faculty to lift the canonical penalties concerning abortion, Bishops in other parts of the world may not have done so. However, for this Jubilee Year of Mercy Pope Francis has extended his faculty to all priests in the world.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
