Priest does not give penance

[Heinshweiz]

Although this is an issue i have seen previously here I could not find an answer to my specific doubt.
There is a priest in my town, to whom I have confessed a few times, and, for what I recall, he does not impose any penance (at least for me he didn’t). Knowing that there is a need for a penance as a “repair” (sorry if that’s not the proper word) for the sins I commited, is it wrong if I go to confession with this priest again? Should I look for another priest to make a confession?

 

[ClearWater]

Although this is an issue i have seen previously here I could not find an answer to my specific doubt.
There is a priest in my town, to whom I have confessed a few times, and, for what I recall, he does not impose any penance (at least for me he didn’t). Knowing that there is a need for a penance as a “repair” (sorry if that’s not the proper word) for the sins I commited, is it wrong if I go to confession with this priest again? Should I look for another priest to make a confession?

A lot of priests here don’t give confession. Some don’t give confession, and sometimes, since they are so overburdened, I think they just forget.

 

[acadiANNA]

Once the priest did not impose a penance, so I did my own. If it was a regular practice of a priest not to give a penance to do, I would have to ask him about it.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Knowing that there is a need for a penance as a “repair” (sorry if that’s not the proper word) for the sins I commited, is it wrong if I go to confession with this priest again?

Strictly speaking, it’s not wrong. IIRC the absence of assigned penance does not invalidate the confession.

Should I look for another priest to make a confession?

That’s a question only you can answer. I prefer confessors who assign penance, but if I am comfortable with a particular priest otherwise (ie. he gives valuable counsel that helps overcome sin) I wouldn’t let the lack of penance stop me from confessing to him. As acadiANNA said, if the priest doesn’t give penance you can perform a penitential act of your own choosing.

A lot of priests here don’t give confession. Some don’t give confession, and sometimes, since they are so overburdened, I think they just forget.

I imagine that every time you said “confession,” you actually meant “penance”…?

 

[Neofight]

Maybe its not as bad as it seems…I have been to confession and the transgressions I brought before the priest were absolved and no penance was given, but in the course of our discussion, the priest told me my sins I brought were not mortal. So, I’m thinking, his absolution was for my venial sins which could have been accomplished through many other means including mass, prayer, the Eucharist, which would serve as penance. Reconciliation can still offer sacramental grace even if you are not in the state of mortal sin.

 

[ClearWater]

Strictly speaking, it’s not wrong. IIRC the absence of assigned penance does not invalidate the confession.

That’s a question only you can answer. I prefer confessors who assign penance, but if I am comfortable with a particular priest otherwise (ie. he gives valuable counsel that helps overcome sin) I wouldn’t let the lack of penance stop me from confessing to him. As acadiANNA said, if the priest doesn’t give penance you can perform a penitential act of your own choosing.

I imagine that every time you said “confession,” you actually meant “penance”…?

Of course.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Of course.

Just checking. I don’t like to assume anything.

 

[Bookcat]

Penance is to be given as part of the Sacrament (Canon 981). If he is not imposing a penance - I would look for another Priest.

 

[Neofight]

Penance is to be given as part of the Sacrament (Canon 981). If he is not imposing a penance - I would look for another Priest.

But then again, a non-trained and certified canon lawyer can only cite Canon Law, and not interpret it, and surely not enforce it. There may be truth to the basic statement that Penance is given as part of the Sacrament, according to CL, but like Constitutional Law, and other Law, CL is not always straight forward, and clearly black and white. That’s why there are canon lawyers.

What needs to be remembered about CL, is that it is not designed to just say what is right and what is wrong, to keep the clergy or laity in line, but rather it is to protect the faithful.

So, in this case, Canon 981 “MAY” (I say “may” again, to emphasize that as a non-canon lawyer, I can only speculate on the accepted Church interpretation of the law) reassure the person who received the sacrament without penance of the validity of the sacrament despite the possibility of an unlawful indiscretion of a priest.

In this way, we see the Code of Canon Law protecting one of the faithful, by declaring the validity of a possibly illicit (by incompletion in this case) sacrament, and the opinion of the Church that because of the honest contrition of the individual, they received absolution and the graces offered by the sacrament, and left reconciled with God, no longer in the state of mortal sin.

Peace and all Good!

 

[JM3]

he does not impose any penance (at least for me he didn’t).

Sin of detraction.

 

[SnowAngels]

Although this is an issue i have seen previously here I could not find an answer to my specific doubt.
There is a priest in my town, to whom I have confessed a few times, and, for what I recall, he does not impose any penance (at least for me he didn’t). Knowing that there is a need for a penance as a “repair” (sorry if that’s not the proper word) for the sins I commited, is it wrong if I go to confession with this priest again? Should I look for another priest to make a confession?

One time a my regular confessor didn’t give me a penance so I assumed he forgot and I said 3 Hail Marys and 3 Our Fathers.

 

[Cricket2]

Although this is an issue i have seen previously here I could not find an answer to my specific doubt.
There is a priest in my town, to whom I have confessed a few times, and, for what I recall, he does not impose any penance (at least for me he didn’t). Knowing that there is a need for a penance as a “repair” (sorry if that’s not the proper word) for the sins I commited, is it wrong if I go to confession with this priest again? Should I look for another priest to make a confession?

Next time you see him ask him why he does not give a penance. Tell him you would appreciate it if he did. If he declines find another priest.

 

[zz912]

Maybe its not as bad as it seems…I have been to confession and the transgressions I brought before the priest were absolved and no penance was given, but in the course of our discussion, the priest told me my sins I brought were not mortal. So, I’m thinking, his absolution was for my venial sins which could have been accomplished through many other means including mass, prayer, the Eucharist, which would serve as penance. Reconciliation can still offer sacramental grace even if you are not in the state of mortal sin.

Even if you didn’t commit any mortal sins, and all confessed were venial, sins, the priest should still give SOME penance. Even if it is just 1 Our Father or 1 Hail Mary. SOMETHING. The point of penance is not only reparations, but also to build us up to make us stronger to avoid ALL sin, not just mortal sin.

 

[svid2]

Pax Christi!

In the past I have had a confessor who always assigned the simple penance, ‘prayer’. Not ‘5 Hail Marys’ or the like, just what I felt comfortable with. Of course, if I do very little prayer, I may have to atone in Purgatory. So, a little extra is a good idea.

Another confessor would assign one of the Psalms to be read and prayed. I would read-pray it several times.

If you are assigned no penance, do some anyway. Some reading: Scripture or The Story of a Soul or the like. Or pray a Rosary or Chaplet in reparation or thanksgiving.

Prayer is never wasted.

God bless.

 

[tawny]

Although this is an issue i have seen previously here I could not find an answer to my specific doubt.
There is a priest in my town, to whom I have confessed a few times, and, for what I recall, he does not impose any penance (at least for me he didn’t). Knowing that there is a need for a penance as a “repair” (sorry if that’s not the proper word) for the sins I commited, is it wrong if I go to confession with this priest again? Should I look for another priest to make a confession?

If the Priest does not impose a Penance. Either before or after your Act of Contrtion; (and before leaving the confessional). I would ask the Priest, Father is there a Penance I have to do.

 

[Bookcat]

But then again, a non-trained and certified canon lawyer can only cite Canon Law, and not interpret it, and surely not enforce it. There may be truth to the basic statement that Penance is given as part of the Sacrament, according to CL, but like Constitutional Law, and other Law, CL is not always straight forward, and clearly black and white. That’s why there are canon lawyers.

What needs to be remembered about CL, is that it is not designed to just say what is right and what is wrong, to keep the clergy or laity in line, but rather it is to protect the faithful.

So, in this case, Canon 981 “MAY” (I say “may” again, to emphasize that as a non-canon lawyer, I can only speculate on the accepted Church interpretation of the law) reassure the person who received the sacrament without penance of the validity of the sacrament despite the possibility of an unlawful indiscretion of a priest.

In this way, we see the Code of Canon Law protecting one of the faithful, by declaring the validity of a possibly illicit (by incompletion in this case) sacrament, and the opinion of the Church that because of the honest contrition of the individual, they received absolution and the graces offered by the sacrament, and left reconciled with God, no longer in the state of mortal sin.

Peace and all Good!

What I noted stands.

My comments were to what is to take place. The nature of the Sacrament.

Not as to validity if the Priest does not do as he ought in terms of imposing a penance (via forgetfulness etc). (ie I was not saying the Sacrament was invalid) (I would add that the Person would do well to do a penance -such as repeating one from a prior confession).

 

[mommamaree]

I have had this happen, too. I was confused. During the part of the sacrament where the priest normally assigns penance, he told me to go to Sunday Mass. Then he continued on to absolution. Before I left confession, I thanked him and asked what was my penance. He said he already told me, go to Sunday Mass. I was still confused, but I said, okay and thank you.

I guess I was confused because I thought was supposed to be something else besides an action which I was already obligated to do. I thought about adding a penitential act of my own in addition to going to Sunday Mass, but when I mentioned it to my husband, he said I was being arrogant about it. So I annoyed both the priest and my husband, and still have no better understanding. This was not our pastor, but one of the other priests. I am not sure what to do if it happens again. But I am guessing I should just be quiet and then go to Mass as usual?

 

[marywarfield]

I have had this happen, too. I was confused. During the part of the sacrament where the priest normally assigns penance, he told me to go to Sunday Mass. Then he continued on to absolution. Before I left confession, I thanked him and asked what was my penance. He said he already told me, go to Sunday Mass. I was still confused, but I said, okay and thank you.

I guess I was confused because I thought was supposed to be something else besides an action which I was already obligated to do. I thought about adding a penitential act of my own in addition to going to Sunday Mass, but when I mentioned it to my husband, he said I was being arrogant about it. So I annoyed both the priest and my husband, and still have no better understanding. This was not our pastor, but one of the other priests. I am not sure what to do if it happens again. But I am guessing I should just be quiet and then go to Mass as usual?

The penance as he told you was to go to Sunday
Mass especially if your sins were venial.
I’m confused as to why you are questioning it?
Did you not like the penance?

 

[christofirst]

Different priests give different penances. Some in my parish always give a specific number of standard prayers, some prescribe a passage of Scripture to be read or an act of charity to be carried out, and one says, “Say whatever prayers you like.” As others here have said, if your priest does not impose a penance, ask for one before you leave the confessional.

 

[Neofight]

Even if you didn’t commit any mortal sins, and all confessed were venial, sins, the priest should still give SOME penance. Even if it is just 1 Our Father or 1 Hail Mary. SOMETHING. The point of penance is not only reparations, but also to build us up to make us stronger to avoid ALL sin, not just mortal sin.

So we only do penance because it is assigned, and not out of willingness to reconcile with God those things that do not mandate us to received the sacrament?

Don’t we do penance on every Friday by abstaining from meat (or replacing that penance with another).

The point is, if we only do penance directed in the rite of the sacrament, well, than we are not doing (building strength to avoid all sin), as you contend.

Peace and all good!