Case 1. Doubtful Matter

Titius, twenty years of age, converted to the Catholic faith and conditionally baptized because of doubt about the previous Baptism received in the Anglican church, began to lead a most holy life. He confessed every Saturday, but because for the most part he had only the same light sins, he added some grave sin committed by him while still a Protestant; indeed, once, out of a certain embarrassment because the same things were always repeated, he simply said, “I committed some light sins and ask for absolution.” The confessor, however, doubts whether such a confession suffices for the validity of the sacrament; this doubt is then extended to that past sin of his life which Titius was accustomed to add. Hence it is asked:

1. What is the matter of the sacrament of Penance?

2. Is the same matter valid and lawful?

3. Is it lawful to give absolution when the matter is doubtful?

4. What is to be said of the case?

1. What is the matter of the sacrament of Penance?

The remote matter of Penance are the sins which the penitent has committed after Baptism. Mortal sins are necessary matter inasmuch as each and all must be confessed; venial sins and mortal sins which have been confessed and absolved before, are free matter and sufficient for absolution. According to the common opinion, the proximate matter of Penance are the acts of contrition, confession, and satisfaction,* performed by the penitent.¹

1 Manual of Moral Theology, vol. ii, 148 ff.

2. Is matter which is valid also lawful?

The question is disputed. The difficulty arises about the sufficiency of confession in general terms, when the penitent has no necessary matter. May a penitent be absolved if he says simply: “ I accuse myself of some light faults.” Absolution in such a case is valid, and some divines say that it is also lawful, as there is no precept which binds the penitent to say more about matter which he is free to confess or not. Other divines say that if such a penitent chooses to confess light matter, he is bound to particularize it, so that the confessor may be able to pass judgment on it, and the opposite opinion would lead to abuse.²

2 Ibid., 150.

3. Is it allowable to give absolution when the matter is doubtful?

No, it is not generally lawful. The priest as minister of the sacrament is bound to procure certain matter as far as he can; otherwise the sacrament is exposed to the danger of nullity. Sometimes, as when the penitent is in danger of death, and certain matter can not be procured, the confessor may give conditional absolution.³

3 Ibid., 153.

4. The case. Titius, a convert from Protestantism, used to mention a grave s: n of his past life when he went to confession, to make sure of sufficient matter. As the sin was committed by him while he was a Protestant and only probably baptized, it is only doubtful matter of penance, and the mentioning of it is useless for Titius' purpose. He also confessed some venial sins under the general formula: “ I have committed some venial sins and ask for absolution.’ Although theoretically there is ground for saying that such a confession is valid and lawful, yet it is against the practice of the Church, is liable to lead to abuse, and should not be used nor ordinarily allowed by confessors.