Is this a valid confession?

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ishii

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Hello, I have a quick question about the sacrament of confession. If I confessed to a sin that I knew was a sin, (just like I know an orange is an orange), but the priest in error said that the sin wasn’t a sin and not to worry about it, is the absolution valid? What do you do when you go to confession and you realize that what the priest is advising goes against church teaching? Do I need to go to confession over again and hope to find a priest that is in line with church teaching? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ishii
 
Well your sin is definitely forgiven regardless of what the priest may think of it. So you don’t need to go to confession again.

The only things that a priest can do that would invalidate a confession involve improper form (if he doesn’t say ‘I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’) or improper intent (if he totally lacks any intent to forgive you of sin in general - your situation where he is in error about specific sins is fine).

As to what to do … well, do look for an orthodox confessor, for sure.
 
ishii said:
Hello, I have a quick question about the sacrament of confession. If I confessed to a sin that I knew was a sin, (just like I know an orange is an orange), but the priest in error said that the sin wasn’t a sin and not to worry about it, is the absolution valid? What do you do when you go to confession and you realize that what the priest is advising goes against church teaching? Do I need to go to confession over again and hope to find a priest that is in line with church teaching? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ishii
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Without knowing the nature of the sin, the facts concerning the act, and grave matter of the sin, it is hard to determine if the priest was right or wrong. I am not requesting this information nor should you post it. However, if it happens again, I would question the priest on why he did not think that it was a sin. He had a reason, IMHO. Spend that extra time with the priest and discuss with him why you think it is a sin, the cause, effect, and why you commited the sin.
 
Sounds valid, but I’d choose a different priest next time.
 
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