Priest input needed! Confession validity help? Priest cut me off?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Struggling1
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Struggling1

Guest
So I went to confession today and it was a communal penance service basically hundreds of people and 13 priests. Well the way the priest let me confess sins was different than I’m used to he would let me say a sin and then discuss it for a few minutes. He let me get through a portion of my sins then began saying the absolution prayer. I wasn’t able to confess a few sins which were debatably mortal? Anyway I didn’t withhold anything and I was starting with the serious sins but I got cut off I know I should have cut the priest off but was just not confident enough to do so. He said the prayers of absolution and I was seriously committed to confessing and changing my life is that valid still or do I need to seek out another confession cause the priest cut me off? I’m really frightened and worried.
 
Last edited:
Funny, I’ve had something similar happen to me at confession the other day. Why are priests cutting confessions short?
 
I mean there was 50-60 in my line so that may have played a part.
 
Only confessor in his part of the Church… but I started with a venial or what I thought was venial sin first.
 
Check with the Church near by, as well as other in the area. Worst case, you could go after, Easter, you must however receive Communion during the Easter season, so go to Confession whenever you can.
 
That’s very strange and I’m afraid I don’t know. Fortunately this has never happened to me. At least you can be glad that there are that many people actually going to confession! In my area barely anyone ever goes to confession! 😱
 
Well, I’m not sure if it was valid, since the confession of all mortal sins in kind and number is necessary along with true sorrow and a purpose of amendment. However, it wasn’t exactly your fault.

I remember reading somewhere that you shouldn’t interrupt the priest when he’s imparting absolution, because you would be interrupting the form of the sacrament.

If I were you, I would seek a re confession (of only your mortal sins) as soon as possible, but that’s just my opinion.

As someone already stated, go to a priest immediately and seek his advice on the matter.

I pray all goes well for you!
 
A good rule of thumb is to always start with the most serious mortal sins and then make your way to venial sins! That way you hopefully get the most serious ones in first. At least that’s what I read once and try to do now
 
I did start with the mortal just didn’t get through them all.
 
Well one thing is for sure: it was through no fault of your own.
 
The next time this happens, you only need one phrase to continue… “Excuse me, I’m still talking.” Then, continue.
 
A priest will need to chime in for more sure guidance than what I can offer…but, since you did not intentionally withhold anything, and were offered absolution by the priest, I think that all of your sins including those not spoken are forgiven.

I imagine it is like when you unintentionally forgot a sin. You intended to bring everything to the sacrament, but were unable to do so through no fault of your own. So I would think the absolution is still valid because you did your part as best as you could.

If I’m right about this, then you would want to mention those sins at your next confession (like you would if you remembered a sin that you had forgotten), but they are in fact already forgiven.

Again, I’m just speculating and I may be wrong. Try to get guidance from a priest! 🙂
 
If the priest cuts you off, he is taking responsibility and you are off the hook in that regard. They will do that sometimes in order to get as many people through the confession line as possible.

You will want to confess all of your unconfessed mortal sins at your next confession.
 
I can’t give a definitive answer, perhaps we can get an answer from a priest or something. Anyway, I don’t know what was going through your mind at that moment, but if you thought you were doing what you should have been doing, I can’t see how that would be invalid. I’d say it depends on what you were thinking at the time.

Here’s one opinion on a similar situation: Confession Validity – Jimmy Akin
semper_catholicus said:
Well one thing is for sure: it was through no fault of your own.
Click to expand...
If this is the case (i.e. if he did not make a conscious choice to do something he thought would invalidate the sacrament), then it surely could not have been invalid.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top