Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 202.  Fri 12-13-91 14:37  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Allan Wafkowski
 Subject: Confession

+-
|      Father, I'd like to solicit your opinion on something I've noticed
| occurring locally  in New Jersey (I'd be interested to know if it
| happens out your way too).  I have noticed that during the Sacrament of
| Penance some priests ad lib the words of absolution.  Some changes are
| as slight as using "forgive" instead of "absolve," and at other times
| the changes are substantial, such as making up the wording for the
| entire rite.
|      I've questioned some priests about this practice and three
| different opinions are most often given.  The first is that unless
| the exact words are spoken the effect of the absolution is in
| questionable, the second is that the intent of the priest and penitent
| is enough because if there is a problem with form the ocean of mercy
| within the Church will supply, and the third is that the sacrament would
| be valid but illicit.  I'd like to hear your opinion about this.  I'm
| inclined to think that using different wording when the correct wording
| is always available is like using Irish whiskey to perform a Baptism.
 
Dear Allen,
 
Archbishop Stafford of Denver has recently issued a "Pastoral Handbook"
for his diocese.  This document expressly forbids unauthorized changes
in liturgical texts.  In this he follows Canon 846, section 1 of the
new Code of Canon Law.  Priests who make unlawful substitutions in the
sacramental formulas violate the rights of those wishing to receive
those sacraments.  Catholics have a strict right to worship according
to the approved rites of the Church.  Priests have a corresponding
strict duty to celebrate those rites unchanged.
 
Since "forgive" is a synonym of "absolve" this substitution does not
invalidate the sacrament, but such a change is illicit.  However, a
wholesale recasting of the wording of the whole rite is seriously
wrong.  It damages the unity of the Church which ought to be manifest
in the unity of our liturgical worship.  It may well be so deficient as
to imperil the validity of the sacrament.
 
Those who hold that "the intent of the priest and the penitent is
enough, because if there is a problem with form (i.e., if the form of
absolution is invalid), the ocean of mercy within the Church will
supply," may endanger the salvation of the souls God entrusts to their
care.
 
Recall the distinction between perfect and imperfect contrition.
Perfect sorrow, conceived of love of God, forgives sin even without
confession --- though one should and sometimes must go to confession,
even with perfect contrition, for peace of soul and other reasons.
Imperfect contrition --- sorrow for sin from some imperfect though
supernatural motive, such as fear of Hell -- does not forgive sin by
itself.  However, imperfect contrition is sufficient for a good
confession and a valid absolution.  The power of the sacrament itself
raises the imperfect contrition to the level of forgiveness.
 
Now, no one, without a special, personal revelation of God knows
whether his own contrition is perfect or merely imperfect.  Therefore,
in practice, everyone should confess frequently and regularly.  But if
one goes to confession with only imperfect contrition, and the priest
is playing games with the sacramental form so as to render the form
invalid, there is no absolution and no forgiveness.  There is an ocean
of mercy in the Church, but the priest does not make it available by
disobeying the Church. Christ means business by His sacraments.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo