SPLIT: Unable to speak in confession

[FrancesMonica]

Anointing of the Sick and Pro-Life question:

I need specific information on the “Anointing of the Sick Sacrament” to a Catholic woman who has been raped and unable to articulate her sins clearly due to being in a state of shock or that she is so terribly upset that she can’t talk, or her words are mumbled or she just doesn’t articulate her sins very well, being under the severe psychological stress; she is still able to understand what the priest is saying to her; so when the priest asks her, “Are you truly sorry for your sins?” The woman says yes, or maybe nods her head yes, or squeezes the priest’s arm or hand affirming that she is truly sorry----some noise or action which is evident that she is sorry and promises not to sin again. Can she receive absolution from her sins from the priest?

 

[Carlan]

Anointing of the Sick and Pro-Life question:

I need specific information on the “Anointing of the Sick Sacrament” to a Catholic woman who has been raped and unable to articulate her sins clearly due to being in a state of shock or that she is so terribly upset that she can’t talk, or her words are mumbled or she just doesn’t articulate her sins very well, being under the severe psychological stress; she is still able to understand what the priest is saying to her; so when the priest asks her, “Are you truly sorry for your sins?” The woman says yes, or maybe nods her head yes, or squeezes the priest’s arm or hand affirming that she is truly sorry----some noise or action which is evident that she is sorry and promises not to sin again. Can she receive absolution from her sins from the priest?

Yes, Peace, Carlan

 

[FrancesMonica]

Anointing of the Sick and Pro-Life question:

I need specific information on the “Anointing of the Sick Sacrament” to a Catholic woman who has been raped and unable to articulate her sins clearly due to being in a state of shock or that she is so terribly upset that she can’t talk, or her words are mumbled or she just doesn’t articulate her sins very well, being under the severe psychological stress; she is still able to understand what the priest is saying to her; so when the priest asks her, “Are you truly sorry for your sins?” The woman says yes, or maybe nods her head yes, or squeezes the priest’s arm or hand affirming that she is truly sorry----some noise or action which is evident that she is sorry and promises not to sin again. Can she receive absolution from her sins from the priest?

 

[Cristiano]

Anointing of the Sick and Pro-Life question:

I need specific information on the “Anointing of the Sick Sacrament” to a Catholic woman who has been raped and unable to articulate her sins clearly due to being in a state of shock or that she is so terribly upset that she can’t talk, or her words are mumbled or she just doesn’t articulate her sins very well, being under the severe psychological stress; she is still able to understand what the priest is saying to her; so when the priest asks her, “Are you truly sorry for your sins?” The woman says yes, or maybe nods her head yes, or squeezes the priest’s arm or hand affirming that she is truly sorry----some noise or action which is evident that she is sorry and promises not to sin again. Can she receive absolution from her sins from the priest?

All it matters is her contrition, intention to confess, and the words of absolution from the priest. Her lack of ability to speak is not a show stopper.

 

[Sarika]

Anointing of the Sick and Pro-Life question:

I need specific information on the “Anointing of the Sick Sacrament” to a Catholic woman who has been raped and unable to articulate her sins clearly due to being in a state of shock or that she is so terribly upset that she can’t talk, or her words are mumbled or she just doesn’t articulate her sins very well, being under the severe psychological stress; she is still able to understand what the priest is saying to her; so when the priest asks her, “Are you truly sorry for your sins?” The woman says yes, or maybe nods her head yes, or squeezes the priest’s arm or hand affirming that she is truly sorry----some noise or action which is evident that she is sorry and promises not to sin again. Can she receive absolution from her sins from the priest?

Of course she can. But why don’t you just ask the priest? Is she in danger of death? Why would you know about this, and were you in the room while someone else was receiving this sacrament?

 

[puzzleannie]

Anointing of the Sick and Pro-Life question:

I need specific information on the “Anointing of the Sick Sacrament” to a Catholic woman who has been raped and unable to articulate her sins clearly due to being in a state of shock or that she is so terribly upset that she can’t talk, or her words are mumbled or she just doesn’t articulate her sins very well, being under the severe psychological stress; she is still able to understand what the priest is saying to her; so when the priest asks her, “Are you truly sorry for your sins?” The woman says yes, or maybe nods her head yes, or squeezes the priest’s arm or hand affirming that she is truly sorry----some noise or action which is evident that she is sorry and promises not to sin again. Can she receive absolution from her sins from the priest?

yes of course she can be absolved. In cases where the patient is unable to confess the anointing itself takes away sins. So what is the problem? Dont’ waste time here, call the priest. If she is in the middle of confession, whether or not she can speak, nobody else should be in the room anyway so I am having a hard time understanding the situation. It the priest is already there, why not just ask him? On second thought, why ask at all? It is between him and the patient and he knows what to do.

 

[Jean_Anthony]

aaa

 

[Debra_C]

Yes, she can! The requirement of verbal confession is set aside when the recipient cannot speak! This can often be the case with grave physical illness as well! My husband received the anointing while on a ventilator. (I have since been able to confirm this in my studies of the catechism and the sacraments, though it would take time to dig up a specific source.)

 

[FrancesMonica]

God Bless everyone who answered this question. I won’t go into details, but the woman’s concern was “I couldn’t talk, well I was mouthing words, but I couldn’t really make sense in how I was talking or rather I may have spoken sentences… Anyway; was I really forgiven when the priest gave me absolution?” Thanks to all for answering that the answer is YES, but most of all DEO GRATIAS!