5.17. Isn’t Confession still valid in the Novus Ordo since priests say “I absolve you”?
The Sacrament of Penance—also called Confession—was instituted by Christ to forgive mortal sins committed after Baptism. For it to be valid, the minister must have valid Holy Orders, jurisdiction or faculties to absolve sins, and must say the proper form of absolution. Although many Novus Ordo priests recite “I absolve you,” this alone is not enough for validity.
After Vatican II, most “priests” were ordained in the new 1968 rite, which is doubtful or invalid, and they often lack true jurisdiction, since the modern Vatican II hierarchy is not part of the Catholic Church. Furthermore, the sacrament itself has been rebranded as “Reconciliation”, downplaying sin, guilt, contrition, and satisfaction. The result is a rite that is often invalid, illicit, or devoid of supernatural grace. Below is a comparison between the true Catholic Sacrament of Penance and the Novus Ordo counterfeit, explaining why faithful Catholics must avoid the latter and seek valid absolution from a true Catholic priest with jurisdiction.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Confession | Novus Ordo “Reconciliation” | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of the Sacrament | Confession or Penance | Reconciliation | Change in terminology reflects a shift from atonement and guilt to vague “healing” or emotional support. |
| Minister | Validly ordained Catholic priest with faculties from a true bishop or the Church | Often invalidly ordained “priests” (new rite); jurisdiction presumed by false hierarchy | No valid faculties = no valid absolution. The Church teaches that jurisdiction is necessary for validity (*Council of Trent*). |
| Form (Words) | “I absolve thee from thy sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” | Often uses “I absolve you…” or shortened variants | Even if words are said correctly, if the minister is invalid or lacks jurisdiction, the sacrament is invalid or illicit. |
| Intention | To forgive sins through the power of Christ, according to Church teaching | Often unclear; focuses on emotional healing, not supernatural forgiveness | Defective intention, especially among modernists, can invalidate the sacrament. |
| Confessional Ritual | Kneeling, priest behind screen; penitential prayers and blessing | Often face-to-face, casual, with little external reverence | Casual settings erode the sense of sacredness and often lack signs of contrition or seriousness. |
| Examination of Conscience | Based on the Ten Commandments, sins against God, purity, and the Faith | Often based on vague “personal struggles” or social justice themes | Leads to incomplete or invalid confessions if mortal sins are not recognized or mentioned. |
| Contrition | Interior sorrow for sin and firm purpose of amendment | Often reduced to vague “regret” or self-improvement goals | Lack of true contrition and amendment of life renders the sacrament invalid or unfruitful. |
| Satisfaction | Specific penance assigned to repair the damage of sin | Often symbolic or optional penance (e.g. “say a prayer,” “do something nice”) | Neglect of satisfaction denies the justice of God and weakens the sacrament's purpose. |
| Seal of Confession | Strictly absolute; violation is punished by automatic excommunication | Still claimed in theory but not consistently taught or enforced | Modern laxity and psychological blending risk compromising the sacred seal. |
| Fruits | Sanctifying grace, forgiveness of mortal sin, restoration to the state of grace | Often no change in life, no true conversion, continued sacrilegious communions | Absence of supernatural grace and conversion signals lack of validity or spiritual efficacy. |
| Validity | Certain with valid priest, jurisdiction, and proper matter/form | Doubtful or invalid in most post-Vatican II cases | Due to invalid ordinations, lack of jurisdiction, and modernist theology, Novus Ordo confessions must be presumed invalid. |
Summary:
The Sacrament of Penance was radically altered after Vatican II in form, minister, theology, and discipline. While some Novus Ordo clergy still use the correct words, they often lack the jurisdiction necessary for valid absolution and are frequently invalidly ordained under the 1968 rite. Without jurisdiction from the true Church, no priest may validly absolve sins (Council of Trent, Sess. 14, Ch. 7).
Furthermore, the theology of sin and contrition has been distorted, and many confessions are treated as emotional therapy sessions rather than supernatural encounters with divine mercy and justice. As a result, most Novus Ordo “confessions” are invalid or gravely illicit.
Faithful Catholics must therefore seek absolution from valid priests who retain jurisdiction supplied by the Church in times of crisis (ecclesia supplet), and who administer the sacrament according to the traditional Roman Rite.