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.