[Hieronymus]

A very good seminary professor.

One is obliged to confess all the sins that one is aware of since one’s last good confession. Sins that are forgotten by accident (as opposed to deliberately omitted, or not touched upon due to a non-thorough examination of conscience) are covered by the act of contrition—one is sorry for all one’s sins, those mentioned, venial sins and faults not explicitly mentioned, those that one has forgotten, AND THOSE THAT ONE DIDN’T EXAMINE (or mention) BECAUSE ONE THOUGHT THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ABSOLVED.

Sorry for shouting, but that is the key point.

The Sacramental System is well-designed, and many flaws end up not having quite as big of ramifications as one might think.

That said, if I were on the jury and the deacon were turned over to the civil arm and burning at the stake were an option . . . one shouldn’t mess with sacraments.

[ebb tide]

The guide (of the Archdioces of Detroit) clarified that while absolutions performed by Fr. Hood before his valid ordination were not themselves valid, “we can be assured that all those who approached Father Hood, in good faith, to make a confession did not walk away without some measure of grace and forgiveness from God.”

“That said, if you recall any grave (mortal) sins that you would have confessed to Father Hood before he was validly ordained and you have not yet been to a subsequent confession, you must bring them to your next confession explaining to any priest what has happened. If you cannot remember if you confessed any grave sins, you should bring that fact to your next confession as well. A subsequent absolution will include those sins and will give you peace of mind,” the guide said.

Detroit man thought he was a priest. He wasn't even a baptized Catholic