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Brandrewpaul
Guest
If someone pretends to be a Priest beacuse he wants to help others, what kind of sin is it and does God and the church forgive him and let him stay in the church?
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StJudeprayforme
Guest
It is a lie. If he pretends to celebrate the sacraments, it is also a sacrilege. Someone who pretends to celebrate Mass or give absolution when not a priest incurs an interdict *latae sententiae * (automatic).If someone pretends to be a Priest beacuse he wants to help others, what kind of sin is it and does God and the church forgive him and let him stay in the church?
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Joe_5859
Guest
People should not impersonate priests (unless they are doing so for some dramatic presentation). That would be deceptive. Yes, that would be a sin. As with any sin, it can be forgiven through the Sacrament of Confession.If someone pretends to be a Priest beacuse he wants to help others, what kind of sin is it and does God and the church forgive him and let him stay in the church?
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Bezant
Guest
A highly unlikely hypothetical situation.
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StJudeprayforme
Guest
Not as unlikely as you think. I know there was at least one case in the American Southwest that made national TV (some sort of true crime series…) and I know of another case that didn’t make headlines internationally.
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otjm
Guest
For starters, it is possible that the people mentioned in the southwest impersonating priests may have a mental issue. And a mental issue may or may not impact their ability in terms of guilt of sin. In general, the issue is going to be one that is theoretical and highly unlikely; and when it occurs, it may well be occurring because of mental illness, in which case the culpability of the individual may well be compromised. It is therefore not our place to judge.
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Loving_disciple
Guest
It can be forgiven and you are allowed to stay in the Church. However depending on what the circumstances are it could be a mortal sin. Good intentions do not justify bad actions
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Just_Lurking
Guest
See here:
Can. 1378 §1. A priest who acts against the prescript of ⇒ can. 977 incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
§2. The following incur a latae sententiae penalty of interdict or, if a cleric, a latae sententiae penalty of suspension:
1/ a person who attempts the liturgical action of the Eucharistic sacrifice though not promoted to the sacerdotal order;
2/ apart from the case mentioned in §1, a person who, though unable to give sacramental absolution validly, attempts to impart it or who hears sacramental confession.
§3. In the cases mentioned in §2, other penalties, not excluding excommunication, can be added according to the gravity of the delict.
Can. 1379 In addition to the cases mentioned in ⇒ can. 1378, a person who simulates the administration of a sacrament is to be punished with a just penalty.
Can. 1378 §1. A priest who acts against the prescript of ⇒ can. 977 incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
§2. The following incur a latae sententiae penalty of interdict or, if a cleric, a latae sententiae penalty of suspension:
1/ a person who attempts the liturgical action of the Eucharistic sacrifice though not promoted to the sacerdotal order;
2/ apart from the case mentioned in §1, a person who, though unable to give sacramental absolution validly, attempts to impart it or who hears sacramental confession.
§3. In the cases mentioned in §2, other penalties, not excluding excommunication, can be added according to the gravity of the delict.
Can. 1379 In addition to the cases mentioned in ⇒ can. 1378, a person who simulates the administration of a sacrament is to be punished with a just penalty.
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Joe_5859
Guest
Thanks. I was looking for that but couldn’t seem to find it.
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