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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Ecclesia Supplet - Does It Apply in My Case? Frank Monday, March 16, 2015

Question:

Hi, Brother Ignatius -

I am physically disabled and confined to a wheelchair. I'm also suffering at the moment from venous ulcers in my right foot due to poor venous return, and for this reason could not physically attend Mass last Sunday. I arranged for a priest in our parish to come and bring me the Sacraments (to hear my confession, administer the Sacrament of the Sick, and give me Holy Communion). He brought another priest with him. Both priests were from India, however their English was quite fluent and so there was no problem with communication.

The second priest who came was quite unexpected - I did not invite him to come (only the priest I had requested initially). The second priest (whom I did not expect to come) heard my confession, and then the priest I had invited gave me the Sacrament of The Sick and Holy Communion.

Here is what troubles me. The priest who heard my confession (whose English is fluent) was verbally abrasive and very unsettling. Before I had finished my confession, he interrupted and was quite impatient, and said I should address him rather than Jesus in my confession! His interruption and counsel was most unsettling. He asked me to make an act of contrition, I did. He gave me a penance. Then, to end it all, he said 'through the ministry of the Church, may God forgive you'! He did not include the words, 'I absolve you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit'. This is incorrect form and renders the Sacrament of Reconciliation invalid.

I was perfectly sincere and genuinely repentant in my confession. The priest who heard my confession was at fault - I know that. Because the incorrect form was used by the priest - and the sacrament was invalid - does this mean my sins are not forgiven unless I go through the whole thing all over again and, hopefully, have a priest who pronounces the correct form of absolution? This is what troubles me.

After both priests left, I sent a text message to my parish priest explaining the situation. He replied by saying that in this case - 'Ecclesia Supplet' applies and that yes - because the invalidity of the sacrament was due to no fault of my own, my sins are forgiven. However, research I have done appears to show that 'Ecclesia Supplet' does not apply to incorrect sacramental form - but rather to a priest who does not possess the appropriate faculties (viz. to hear confessions/grant absolution and to consecrate at the Eucharistic celebrations). I am confused. Surely, in my case, 'Ecclesia Supplet' does apply and here God's grace is extraordinarily granted outside the Sacrament. Please get back to me about this.

Kind regards and God bless you - Frank.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Frank:

You are correct. Ecclesia Supplet does not make up for the invalidity of a Sacrament. You do need to Confess your sins again, but next time if the priest does not use the proper form ask him to do so.

Deus providet, that is, God provides, or God foresees, may apply. That is, if you were to die your sincere effort to seek absolution for sins in this life would be honored by God.

But, you can be sure you sins are forgiven in the meantime until you can receive valid absolution. Your sins can be forgiven and you can be restored to a state of grace right now by saying a Perfect Act of Contrition. Doing this comes with the promise of confessing those sins in the valid Sacrament and not receiving the Eucharist until you do.

Do not be shy about asking the priest to use the proper form if he uses the wrong form.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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