Sspx Sacraments

[PhuturePriest]

So, I know that all of their sacraments are valid, but they are illicit, so though a Catholic can go to one of their Masses and receive the Eucharist if it is the only nearby Latin Mass, it is highly frowned upon for a Catholic to go to confession by an SSPX priest. But in a hypothetical situation, what if a Catholic in full communion with the Church was at an SSPX parish and was in a state of mortal sin, and (s)he wouldn't be able to go to confession for a while due to certain circumstances? Could that Catholic then go to confession to an SSPX priest, or would that person be told it's better to stay in that state of grave sin?

[cappie]

In normal situations they do not validly absolve, because they lack faculties to absolve (because faculties are necessary – in addition to valid ordination – to absolve validly).  They cannot act as proper witnesses to marriages, because they are not recognized as such by the Church.  A proper witness is require by the Church for the form of marriage.

 

Confirmation, Marriage, Penance, and Holy Orders are the other sacraments which are simultaneously juridic acts. Reception of these sacraments changes a person’s juridic status in the Church.  The Church is more restrictive about who can administer these four sacraments. Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion/Eucharist are not juridic acts. Reception of these sacraments does not change a person’s juridic status in the Church.

 

Absolution of sins after Confession is a juridic act. The priest, the confessor, acts in persona Christi and judges the penitent.  Remember that the confessional has the aspect of a tribunal.  The confessor/judge absolves and lifts the sin from the penitent.  Confessors also at times lift censures.  As a juridic act, it can only be done by someone capable in law. The Church has restricted this, not because the Church wants to make penance less available to people, but rather in order to ensure that the faithful are getting the best possible pastoral care and that they remain within the fold of the Church. Thus, the Church gives faculties, permission, jurisdiction, to act in this way, to use his priestly abilities in a performing a sacramental act which is also a juridical act.

 

So if you were in the state of Mortal sin, you make an act of perfect contrition and then go  to confession when you can. If you were dying the it would be OK as even an ex priest can absolve in emergency.

 

(btw is that you in the picture if so meet me afterwards :evil:) :lol4: