Was my confession invalid?

[mcliffor]

This is sort of an urgent matter. I went to confession today at the Catholic university near my house. I would normally wait, but having the weight of a mortal sin on my soul, I had to go. When I entered the confession room, the priest, wearing a polo and “peace” stole had moved the kneeler and screen out of the way so I was forced to sit in front of him. He introduced himself ans shook my hand as if we were about to make a business transaction, then said, “what can I do for you?”

I confessed my textbook mortal sin. He then told me it wasn’t a real sin, made me feel scrupulous when I wasn’t, then without giving me a penance or asking for an act of contrition, said a prayer of absolution, that seemed to be ad libbed. He inserted my name in it for example. I did hear him say “I absolve you in the name of the father, son and holy spirit.” Was my confession valid or should I make a trip to the cathedral tomorrow?

If it means anything, I *feel *as though my sins haven’t been absolved.

Should I write the pastor? This “augustinian” community is as heterodox as it gets, but I feel there’s something gravely wrong when the sacraments aren’t being administered properly, if they’re even valid.

 

[InLight247]

There is a similar question asked today on EWTN.
The following is the answer:

Answer by Fr. John Trigilio on 04-19-2007:
I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS is the bare necessity for validity but the priest SHOULD say the entire formula of absolution for liceity as well. The penance given and the act of contrition are not optional but if a priest neglects to ask for the act of contrition and/or omits to give a penance, the confession is still valid as is the absolution. ECCLESIA SUPPLET applies (the Church supplies when there is a defect in the minister through no fault of the penitent)

You can always say the act of contrition afterwards, and do your own penance, for example, say a rosary.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Should I write the pastor?

I think you should (or make an appointment to speak with him if you want feedback). No one should have to come away from the confessional wondering whether their sins have indeed been forgiven. You deserve to hear the words of absolution given us by the Church. And you also have a right to anonymity in the confessional.

Whether or not your communication with the pastor will have any positive effect may depend on whether the pastor is similarly lax. But it doesn’t hurt to try.

I have had a similar experience with “ad libbing.” It seems that some priests think they are putting people at ease by being chummy and “creative.” It has the opposite effect on me (and on many others), making us doubt the validity of the Sacrament.

If you have doubts, confess to another priest for your own peace of mind.

 

[otjm]

The minimum you need to do is confess your sins, and the priest absolve you. Relying on your feelings is not the best place to put judgement of validity. Hopefully, since you appear to not have been instructed as to what the minimum is necessary, you will be at peace, and be knowledgeable the next time you have a similar question.

As to the issue of the seriousness of the sin, you were absolved, so the issue is resolved as to your state of grace.

As to whether the sin confessed was serious or not, there are several points to ponder. If you have serious questions concerning the degree of sinfulness, seek out another priest - not for confession, but for questioning, and ask them their opinion of a specific set of circumstances.

Without knowing more, it may be that the priest’s moral theology class was less than exemplar; on the other hand, there is also the issues of reduced culpability, and scrupulosity. Some people who tend to think in absolute balck and white categories have anywhere form mild to severe problems with those two. I do not suggest that you have, but ask another priest, and don’t stop wtih the first question - ask why they respond that way (however they answer the question).

 

[Sir_Knight]

He then told me it wasn’t a real sin

Don’t have the exact passage in front of me but if you do a search of past threads on this board, you will find where it says in the bible that if you believe something to be a sin, then it IS a sin.

 

[I_Love_My_Wife]

Do you mind if I ask WHAT university this is? The first Augustinian school that comes to mind is Villanova…