Is the priest using the wrong words in confession?

by Admin · April 18, 2023

(CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Question: In the sacrament of Reconciliation, our parish priest does not use the same words of absolution used by every other priest to whom I’ve confessed: “God the Father of mercies…” Instead, he says: “By my authority, I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Is that form of the words of absolution permissible? If not, does this invalidate the sacrament?

For the Sacrament of Reconciliation to be valid, the penitent must be contrite and has to confess his or her sins. The penitent must be prepared to undertake some penance, uniting this to the redemptive work of Christ. Lastly, the words of absolution must be pronounced.

Commentaries on the Code of Canon Law make a distinction between the integral form of sacramental absolution and the words necessary for validity. The integral form, beginning “God the Father of mercies…”, is also called the “entire form of absolution” and should be used in all ordinary circumstances. The essential words which start “I absolve you…” may be used in an emergency situation.

The Church prefers that we use the entire formula since it makes clear that forgiveness comes from God the Father, through the death and resurrection of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is not the Church nor its minister who forgives: the priest acts as a channel for God’s grace.

As long as your priest speaks all the words from “I absolve you”, you can be assured that you have received sacramental absolution. At the same time, however, he should not be saying “By my authority…”, since he has no authority of his own.

(Fr Thomas Plastow SJ)

Published in the February 2023 issue of The Southern Cross magazine