Dear Catholic Exchange:
I go to a priest for confession whom I deem not very spiritual. When I ask him a question regarding a sin, he never gives me an answer…as if he doesn't know. He just says “we do the best we can” or something like that. Plus, for a penance, he tells me to make up my own penance. Recently I was told this is wrong and now am unsure if all my past confessions have been invalid?? There is one other priest in my location that I could go to however the ride is farther and I'd have to ask for a special trip to get there on Saturday. Right now I get a ride to the other parish to go to church and so go to that priest who is convenient. Given this particular confessor’s lack of spiritual ability in the Confessional am I obligated to make the extra trek to the other priest instead or can I just go to this one anyway and not ask him for spiritual advice ever?
Kaylan
To be clear, you asked whether one’s sacramental confession was invalid if the priest did not stipulate a penance. As our Faith Fact on Norms for Confession and that entitled I Confess: The Biblical Basis of the Sacrament of Reconciliation discuss, the particular requirements for the celebration of the sacrament of Penance are: a validly ordained and duly authorized priest, as well as contrition, confession, act of penance (for the matter of the sacrament) and the absolution (for the form of the sacrament).
An act of penance is required for the absolution to take effect. The Church teaches that the priest is required “to impose salutary and appropriate penances [which] the penitent is bound personally to fulfill” (Code of Canon Law, canon 981). The reason for the act of penance is provided in the Rite of Penance which states:
“True conversion is completed by expiation for the sins committed, by amendment of life, and also by rectifying injuries done. The kind and extent of the expiation must be suited to the personal condition of penitents so that they may restore the order that they have upset and through the corresponding remedy be cured of the sickness from which they suffered. Therefore, it is necessary that the act of penance really be a remedy for sin and a help to renewal of life. Thus penitents, ‘forgetting the things that are behind’ (Philippians 3:13), again become part of the mystery of salvation and press on toward the things that are to come” (no. 6).
Although the Church allows the rite for confession to be shortened when necessary, the essential elements of the sacrament, including the penitent’s “acceptance of the act of penance,” may not be omitted (Rite of Penance, no. 21).
The penance is required for absolution to take place, for “Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all disorders caused by sin. While we are not capable of truly satisfying God for the evil we have done and its consequences, we must make satisfaction for our sin through some action or prayer that will express our desire to make amends and to repair something of the disorder, damage or harm which our sinful actions have brought into the world…. This penance is in a real way our share in the Cross and helps us to be more closely joined to Christ…. True conversion is completed by acts of penance or satisfaction for the sins committed, by amendment of conduct, and also by the reparation of injury” (Pennsylvania Catholic Conference of Bishops, A Guide to the Sacrament of Penance, no. 13).
Oftentimes, a confessor may not provide the penitent with a penance. It is appropriate in such a case to request a penance. If the priest continues to fail to provide a penance, you may wish to seek another priest from whom to receive the sacrament. If you should choose to address this matter directly, we recommend reading our article on Lay Witness Protocol to help you to deal with the situation effectively.
For information on the sacraments, please refer to our Faith Fact entitled Signs of the Christ: Sacraments of the Church.
United in the Faith,
Kathleen Rohan
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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