Priests and mortal sin

[Anima_Christi]

If a priest is in a state of mortal sin (God forbid), and he is supposed to celebrate a Mass and there is no priest to confess to, should he still celebrate the Mass? And can he celebrate a Mass without receiving communion himself, or is this required?

 

[JimG]

To the best of my knowledge, a priest is required to receive the Eucharist at the Mass when he is the celebrant. If there were no other priest available for confession, I think he would make an act of perfect contrition and proceed with the Mass.

 

[marty1818]

I’m not completely sure on this, but my opinion is that the priest would have an obligation to celebrate mass for the congregation. I am not completely sure it matters whether it is a weekday or a Sunday obligatory mass. I’ll leave that question for someone else.

matt

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Anima Christi:

If a priest is in a state of mortal sin (God forbid), and he is supposed to celebrate a Mass and there is no priest to confess to, should he still celebrate the Mass? And can he celebrate a Mass without receiving communion himself, or is this required?

Yes, a priest in mortal sin should not deprive the faithful of the Sacraments. He would be required if no other priest is available to celebrate a scheduled Mass. The main celebrant MUST receive under BOTH forms in order fo the Mass to be complete.

 

[Saint_Andrew]

Hello

That is interesting to know. Hope that does not happen ever.

God Bless
Saint Andrew.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Br. Rich SFO:

Yes, a priest in mortal sin should not deprive the faithful of the Sacraments. He would be required if no other priest is available to celebrate a scheduled Mass. The main celebrant MUST receive under BOTH forms in order fo the Mass to be complete.

So, his obligation to celebrate Mass supercedes his obligation to not receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin?

Also, regarding an above post, I thought an Act of Perfect Contrition was an interior thing. In other words, you can’t just say an Act of Perfect Contrition and claim the words give you perfect contrition, right?

 

[TOME]

A couple of things about a Priest celebrating Mass in spite of his being in mortal sin. As the good Brother pointed out that a priest should not deprive the faithful of the Mass, it should be remembered that all sacraments are acts of Christ in and through the Church, so the state of the priest soul should not be a question if the question is on the validity of the Mass (although I don’t think that was central to the question - it still has been a topic of discussion for a milenium or two). Second, I know I cannot judge a person’s soul, but I’m inclined to think that should a man be in that position, if he was to celebrate the Mass for the good of the people that may indicate an underlying intention of repentance and reconcilliation - otherwise why would he care unless forced into doing it, perhaps I’m just inclined to give people the benefit of the doubt, and one thing Jesus always stressed good does conquer evil and if the Priest intentions are sincere I would hope God would not hold that act of celebrating a Mass against him.

 

[caleb_g]

Anima Christi:

If a priest is in a state of mortal sin (God forbid), and he is supposed to celebrate a Mass and there is no priest to confess to, should he still celebrate the Mass? And can he celebrate a Mass without receiving communion himself, or is this required?

A celebrating priest is required to confess beforehad. If the celebrating priest, because of urgent necessity, can’t confess to a priest before Mass, he can celebrate anyway (and receive) and must confess as soon as possible afterward. This was made a precept of the Church by the Council of Trent.

“He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.” Wherefore, he who would communicate, must recall to mind his precept: “Let a man prove himself.” Now, ecclesiastical usage declares that such an examination is necessary in order that no one conscious to himself of mortal sin, however contrite he may feel, ought to receive the Sacred Eucharist without previous sacramental confession. This the holy council has decreed to be invariably observed by all Christians, even by those priests on whom it may be incumbent by their office to celebrate, provided the opportunity of a confessor is not wanting to them. But if in an urgent necessity a priest should celebrate without previous confession, let him confess as soon as possible.

 

[FenianMan]

Br. Rich SFO:

The main celebrant MUST receive under BOTH forms in order fo the Mass to be complete.

Isn’t this true for all concelebrants as well?