When the priest says "I absolve you of your sins’ or ‘I forgive you of your sins’ do you know 100% you are forgiven?
The answer here is yes I know that I am forgiven, in so far as I am able to “know”. I know this because, even if my contrition is “imperfect” and I am aware of my weaknesses, my repentance is sincere and my intent pure.
If a man confessed to the priest but felt no contrition at all for what he did (and intended to do it again) would God forgive him of his sins? Finally, the most important question, if not, doesn’t this make the priest a liar in saying ‘I forgive you of your sins’?
Thanks
Last first, this does not make the priest a liar. One cannot lie by accident. The priest’s intent is pure based upon what the person confessing has said.
The other questions, relating to a hypothetical, become more complicated. In fact they lead to many more questions than answers. For instance, if the person is not contrite and intends to keep sinning then why has he come to confession at all? What is his intent for confessing something that he intends to continue doing? Is it because the person was poorly catechized and believes that even an insincere confession will expunge sin? Is it because he fears hell and he fears God, even though he does not truly know or understand God? Is there a mental defect that is preventing true contrition?
Answering these might provide some insight for you into the sacrament of reconciliation.
It is extremely difficult to answer such hypotheticals which is why I generally don’t try. We believe in a God of Mercy and Justice.
We believe in our need, not only to rely on God’s mercy, but to respond to it and participate in it.
Therefore, we must accept that, in order for a confession to be truly effectacious, we must participate in it in all sincerity to the best of our ability by true contrition and a determination to sin no more.
Peace
James
