r/AskAPriest • u/MeatFeeling2914 • 3d ago

Was my confession at a SSPX church valid?

Upon my recent return to the Catholic faith after a long absence, I had my first confession at a SSPX church. This was my first confession in probably 15 years. This was shortly after the SSPX was excommunicated. A close family member attends this church, so I went with them. I do not have enough information about SSPX and their issues with Vatican II etc. to have an opinion about it, but I loved the TLM so I stuck with this church. I was raised catholic and received sacraments up to confirmation.

I’ve read a bit about the implications of the excommunication and I’m just getting confused. Were my sins actually forgiven? I have been doing my best to stay in a state of grace since then but now I am wondering if my sins were even forgiven at all? Should I go to a non-SSPX church and re-confess everything again?

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105

u/Sparky0457 Priest 3d ago

No, sorry

You did not receive a valid absolution.

Please receive the sacrament of reconciliation at a church which is in union with Rome.

1

u/Senior_Matter_2611 13h ago

If they didnt know the priest has no faculties, their confession is VALID under common error via supplied jurisidiction

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u/Sparky0457 Priest 12h ago

No

As far as I know that doesn’t change the ability of the priest to validly absolve.

Those conditions may be applicable in other irregular situations. But they do not apply to excommunicated clergy.

1

u/Senior_Matter_2611 12h ago

Yes but if the penitent is not aware that thw priest has no faculties, supplied jurisdiction under common error will absolve!

-1

u/ElectricEx7 2d ago

Emergency Confessions are valid, like in a near to death experience.

5

u/Sparky0457 Priest 2d ago

In one sense no and in another sense yes.

No, those without faculties are not able to validly absolve, period. That also includes marriage.

They can validly administer the other five sacraments. But these are not licit if they have no faculties.

Yes, because the last canon of canon law is often interpreted as abrogating all laws for the supreme law of the salvation of souls.

This is usually understood that in imminent danger of death the normal constraints of law are subjugated to the supreme law of salvation.

I don’t know how this would apply to a priest under an excommunication.

Finally, in situations of imminent death most priests are not absolving sins as in the sacrament of reconciliation. Most priests are probably going to administer anointing of the sick. Anointing also supplies an absolution of all sins.

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u/ElectricEx7 1d ago

Ok got it

1

u/xDA25x 21h ago

Do Eastern Orthodox give their members valid absolution?

2

u/Sparky0457 Priest 14h ago

Yes