Language barrier in confession

[Regina7]

There was one priest hearing confessions today. He is English-speaking. Some only Spanish speaking people went into confession. So the priest did not understand what the people were saying. Is this a valid confession? In case anyone asks, I heard the Spanish speaking people talking about this after confession.

 

[jmcrae]

There was one priest hearing confessions today. He is English-speaking. Some only Spanish speaking people went into confession. So the priest did not understand what the people were saying. Is this a valid confession? In case anyone asks, I heard the Spanish speaking people talking about this after confession.

If he gave them the Absolution, then whatever language barrier there was, wasn’t sufficient to negate the Sacrament.

 

[Vico]

There was one priest hearing confessions today. He is English-speaking. Some only Spanish speaking people went into confession. So the priest did not understand what the people were saying. Is this a valid confession? In case anyone asks, I heard the Spanish speaking people talking about this after confession.

Understanding and speaking are two different skills. The priest may know some words and recognize that the act of contrition is said. He may choose to give a prayer penance without any particular counseling.

 

[camkutz]

I’ve actually had to deal with this problem myself, having many Latvian and Russian friends whose parents couldn’t speak a word of English. Obviously try find a priest who can speak the language the penitent does however if this does not work I believe there is permission to have a translator who is also bound to confidentiality with the priest. My friends however don’t have access to this so for example my friend’s mother confesses, and the priest tells my friend her penance and he tells her it in her own language.
My priest said though that for a valid confession the priest has to understand what is being confessed

 

[Chatter163]

This has happened to me many, many times over the years, especially when I lived in Miami. You do the best you can, and let God work the sacrament.

 

[Regina7]

I’ve actually had to deal with this problem myself, having many Latvian and Russian friends whose parents couldn’t speak a word of English. Obviously try find a priest who can speak the language the penitent does however if this does not work I believe there is permission to have a translator who is also bound to confidentiality with the priest. My friends however don’t have access to this so for example my friend’s mother confesses, and the priest tells my friend her penance and he tells her it in her own language.
My priest said though that for a valid confession the priest has to understand what is being confessed

That’s what I thought- that the priest needs to understand not the specific sin so much as whether the person is sorry and intends to not sin again. For example, if I went into confession, said I was having premarital sex, said I was sorry but had no intention of stopping, then the priest wouldn’t offer me absolution. If the priest can’t understand, how do he know whether person is sincere?

Perhaps, in a case like this, the sacrament would cease to be valid if person is not sincere?

 

[Vico]

That’s what I thought- that the priest needs to understand not the specific sin so much as whether the person is sorry and intends to not sin again. For example, if I went into confession, said I was having premarital sex, said I was sorry but had no intention of stopping, then the priest wouldn’t offer me absolution. If the priest can’t understand, how do he know whether person is sincere?

Perhaps, in a case like this, the sacrament would cease to be valid if person is not sincere?

If a person is not sincere when confessing a mortal sin then there is no reception of sanctifying grace.