Priest fell asleep during Confession. Are my sins forgiven?

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During confession this morning the priest I normally avoid going to fell asleep while I was confessing my sins. I actually heard him snoring as I went through my sins. I stopped and called “Father” three times. The third time he woke up and blurted out “that’s it?”. Out of frustration built up from previous experiences with this Priest in confession I sarcastically said “I didn’t mean to wake you”. During previous confessions with this priest I actually heard him sign on more than one occasion as I confessed my sins. He seems to be a very devout priest outside the confessional.

Questions:
  1. Are my sins forgiven? How can he act in the person of Christ to forgive or retain sins if he doesn’t hear what they are? I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was at the hospitalall night giving last rites to but this just seemed consistent with previous confessions with him and my frustration got the best of me. I almost did’t post this because I didn’t want to discourage others who don’t go to confession or that are skeptical about the necessity of it. I just need an answer because I want to go to Communion tomorrow.
  2. Did I commit another sin by my comment “I didn’t mean to wake you”? I feel guilty about it and for showing such a lack of respect to a Priest.
Please advise. I posted on the “Ask an Apologist” forum but don’t think I’ll get a reply before mass tomorrow morning.
 
RGA123 said:
During confession this morning the priest I normally avoid going to fell asleep while I was confessing my sins. I actually heard him snoring as I went through my sins. I stopped and called “Father” three times. The third time he woke up and blurted out “that’s it?”. Out of frustration built up from previous experiences with this Priest in confession I sarcastically said “I didn’t mean to wake you”. During previous confessions with this priest I actually heard him sign on more than one occasion as I confessed my sins. He seems to be a very devout priest outside the confessional.

Questions:
  1. Are my sins forgiven? How can he act in the person of Christ to forgive or retain sins if he doesn’t hear what they are? I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was at the hospitalall night giving last rites to but this just seemed consistent with previous confessions with him and my frustration got the best of me. I almost did’t post this because I didn’t want to discourage others who don’t go to confession or that are skeptical about the necessity of it. I just need an answer because I want to go to Communion tomorrow.
  2. Did I commit another sin by my comment “I didn’t mean to wake you”? I feel guilty about it and for showing such a lack of respect to a Priest.
Please advise. I posted on the “Ask an Apologist” forum but don’t think I’ll get a reply before mass tomorrow morning.
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no, sorry, he has to pronounce the proper formula.

**“I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, † and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”

**
 
If he used the formula, then you’re golden.

As far as your comment, I think that was probably only venial. But if you feel really bad about it, you could always go again. Better to err on the side of caution, perhaps.
 
RGA123 said:
During confession this morning the priest I normally avoid going to fell asleep while I was confessing my sins. I actually heard him snoring as I went through my sins. I stopped and called “Father” three times. The third time he woke up and blurted out “that’s it?”. Out of frustration built up from previous experiences with this Priest in confession I sarcastically said “I didn’t mean to wake you”. During previous confessions with this priest I actually heard him sign on more than one occasion as I confessed my sins. He seems to be a very devout priest outside the confessional.

Questions:
  1. Are my sins forgiven? How can he act in the person of Christ to forgive or retain sins if he doesn’t hear what they are? I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was at the hospitalall night giving last rites to but this just seemed consistent with previous confessions with him and my frustration got the best of me. I almost did’t post this because I didn’t want to discourage others who don’t go to confession or that are skeptical about the necessity of it. I just need an answer because I want to go to Communion tomorrow.
  2. Did I commit another sin by my comment “I didn’t mean to wake you”? I feel guilty about it and for showing such a lack of respect to a Priest.
Please advise. I posted on the “Ask an Apologist” forum but don’t think I’ll get a reply before mass tomorrow morning.
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If he completed the Sacramental Rite and spoke the words of absolution, don’t be concerned.
 
If he completed the formula, you are absolved.

However, if you had been patient prior in your waking efforts, then I don’t see any sin in expressing your displeasure with the priest’s sleep habits. Maybe next time bring him a cup of coffee, it might help your relationship get better too as you have a good laugh together.
 
My sins usually will wake up a sleeping priest. “YOU DID WHAT!!” 😃

Seriously, you are absolved if he used the words of absolution. If you are concerned about any serious sin that you felt he didn’t hear you might mention them in your next confession. As for now you would be absolved. And I find it hard to see a sin in your comment to your priest or it would be venial at worst. God understands frustration even if your priest did spend his night at the hospital. In fact, I would address this outside of the confessional with your priest to gain a better understanding of his condition…teachccd 🙂
 
RGA123 said:
During confession this morning the priest I normally avoid going to fell asleep while I was confessing my sins. I actually heard him snoring as I went through my sins. I stopped and called “Father” three times. The third time he woke up and blurted out “that’s it?”. Out of frustration built up from previous experiences with this Priest in confession I sarcastically said “I didn’t mean to wake you”. During previous confessions with this priest I actually heard him sign on more than one occasion as I confessed my sins. He seems to be a very devout priest outside the confessional.

Questions:
  1. Are my sins forgiven? How can he act in the person of Christ to forgive or retain sins if he doesn’t hear what they are? I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was at the hospitalall night giving last rites to but this just seemed consistent with previous confessions with him and my frustration got the best of me. I almost did’t post this because I didn’t want to discourage others who don’t go to confession or that are skeptical about the necessity of it. I just need an answer because I want to go to Communion tomorrow.
  2. Did I commit another sin by my comment “I didn’t mean to wake you”? I feel guilty about it and for showing such a lack of respect to a Priest.
Please advise. I posted on the “Ask an Apologist” forum but don’t think I’ll get a reply before mass tomorrow morning.
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Uh…no. If the priest was asleep during your confession, it doesn’t count. That priest should be asked to stop doing that.
 
You brought back memories of a priest I once knew. We kids always wanted to go to home for confession so we could “get out with no punishment”. God rest his soul he is with God now and brings back many good and sad past memories.

My advice is to go to another priest and explain what happened. Let the other priest make this decision for you.
 
My confession a couple weeks ago was similar. I had the option of kneeling behind a white cloth, or sitting face-to-face - which I chose. When I started out the priest seemed to be nodding as though listening and contemplating, eyes closing. After about 30 seconds it had evolved to more of a head-bobbing motion (the motion reminded me of those little dogs people keep in their cars that bob their heads) and he was struggling to keep his eyes open and make eye contact. It then struck me he looked really tired and I assumed he had a late call the night before. (I thought gee no need for me to try to water it down here). Then a woman barged in to see whether the confessional was occupied and that seemed to perk up the priest and then both of us had a good laugh. Then he pronounced the proper formula and smiled nicely and seemed glad I had dropped in. It’s very often an adventure going to confession, I’m sure for other people too. Lots of amazing confession stories and lots of interesting people when you’re waiting in line. Totally amazing sacrament.
 
Hmm, this is a priest to whom I would like to go to confession; I’ll just wake him up in time to give the absolution.

I know that priests in our parish are kept very busy, and it can be easy to doze off. One priest once dozed off during the intercessions at Mass.
 
Something like this happened in a MAS*H episode. Father Mulcahy fell asleep during confession once, but he was exhausted and I think he hadn’t slept in days.
 
It is ok not to go to receive communion if you are not sure…

Now that is not a good habit to get into and I am sure this wont be a common thing that will happen.

Priests are human too, he might have had a late night, some do do some superhuman acts but everyone gets tired.

If he didn’t say the words of absolution you should go to confession again. If you die tomorrow, God knows your heart, that you still mean to go to confession and you are sorry for your sins.

God Bless
Scylla
 
As others have said, if he said the words of absolution “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the…” then you are forgiven. Doens’t matter if he didn’t hear all your sins. It’s just like going to confession to a preist who doesn’t speak English. If I am travelling in Germany and the priest only understands German, my sins are still forgiven once he absolves me.
 
teachccd said:
My sins usually will wake up a sleeping priest. “YOU DID WHAT!!” 😃

Seriously, you are absolved if he used the words of absolution. If you are concerned about any serious sin that you felt he didn’t hear you might mention them in your next confession. As for now you would be absolved. And I find it hard to see a sin in your comment to your priest or it would be venial at worst. God understands frustration even if your priest did spend his night at the hospital. In fact, I would address this outside of the confessional with your priest to gain a better understanding of his condition…teachccd 🙂
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Ha. I can relate, even though since marrying, 15 years ago, I have become a rather boring sort, thankfully. I actually love being boring, considering the adventurous junk I did in my crazy past in the military. We worked hard, and played way too hard. 😉
 
Good Lord, this thread would put God to sleep!! What has our Church done to us that these are the problems for which we chose to spend our energy. O we of little faith.
 
RGA123 said:
During confession this morning the priest I normally avoid going to fell asleep while I was confessing my sins. I actually heard him snoring as I went through my sins. I stopped and called “Father” three times. The third time he woke up and blurted out “that’s it?”. Out of frustration built up from previous experiences with this Priest in confession I sarcastically said “I didn’t mean to wake you”. During previous confessions with this priest I actually heard him sign on more than one occasion as I confessed my sins. He seems to be a very devout priest outside the confessional.

Questions:
  1. Are my sins forgiven? How can he act in the person of Christ to forgive or retain sins if he doesn’t hear what they are? I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was at the hospitalall night giving last rites to but this just seemed consistent with previous confessions with him and my frustration got the best of me. I almost did’t post this because I didn’t want to discourage others who don’t go to confession or that are skeptical about the necessity of it. I just need an answer because I want to go to Communion tomorrow.
  2. Did I commit another sin by my comment “I didn’t mean to wake you”? I feel guilty about it and for showing such a lack of respect to a Priest.
Please advise. I posted on the “Ask an Apologist” forum but don’t think I’ll get a reply before mass tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...
The Church also provides. Let’s say that you were confessing and the priest fainted. You were confessing and contrite. You met the two criteria that are your responsibility for a good confession.

If the priest faints, you may not receive absolution through the priest, but that is not to say that you have not been forgiven by God. God does not hold you accountable for what is out of your control.

JR 🙂
 
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