When I arrived in Santiago de Compostela, I had not given confession in 32 years but went at the request of a Camino family friend. The priest was not hearing confessions that afternoon, but he did give me absolution!
Your profile says you want truth. The truth is that a priest can not give you absolution without hearing your confession and Act of Contrition. I would guess he gave you a blessing. Please, go to confession. Make an appointment with a priest at your local parish so you can spend some time with himwithout worrying about others waiting their turn. Confess your sins and start fresh. Oh, what a feeling!
Your profile says you want truth. The truth is that a priest can not give you absolution without hearing your confession and Act of Contrition. I would guess he gave you a blessing. Please, go to confession. Make an appointment with a priest at your local parish so you can spend some time with himwithout worrying about others waiting their turn. Confess your sins and start fresh. Oh, what a feeling!
The priest can give you absolution if he is unable to understand English but will advise you to confess your sins at next available time. This was done for me in Madrid. But this seems to be only in Spain because they feel you might be hiding some particular sin. But Canon law does make provisions for an individual to make his confession in his own language no matter if a priest can understand or not and give you absolution, but as stated the Spanish priest will not allow this.
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