Absolution Without Jurisdiction

Absolution Given by One Not Possessed of Jurisdiction.—(a) Effect.—Absolution of mortal sins given without jurisdiction is invalid; and of venial sins, is unlawful and probably invalid. In some cases, however, the Church supplies jurisdiction, as was said above (2752).

(b) Guilt.—There is no sin if the absolution is given in good faith, as when a confessor is inculpably ignorant of a reservation. If absolution is given in bad faith and the confessor knows that the Church does not supply, there is a grave sin on account of the irreverence to the Sacrament and the harm to the penitent. If the confessor knows that he lacks jurisdiction, but that the Church supplies on account of common error, it seems that no sin is committed if there is a good reason for giving absolution (e.g., the absence of other priests); but otherwise there is mortal or venial sin according to circumstances.

(c) Penalty.—He who with presumption hears confessions without jurisdiction or absolves from a reserved case for which he has no faculties, incurs in the former case ipso facto suspension from the power of Orders, and in the latter case ipso facto suspension from hearing confessions (Canon 2366).