So, I posted this question in the pre-1900 forum as well because I wasn't sure where it'd fit.
I was having a conversation with my friend and the question came up of whether a nun (not a postulant or novice, but someone who is higher up the hierarchy) can hear a confession? I'm aware that a Mother Superior/Abbess probably can't grant absolution (that being sole privilege of an ordained priest), but I was wondering about simply hearing the confession? I suppose the whole not-being-allowed-to-grant-absolution nullifies the whole point of going to confession in the first place.
Is there a way that we can change things up a bit in church history that a Mother Superior/Abbess (at least) is allowed to hear confession (and perhaps even grant absolution)? Or would this be seen as radical as allowing a woman to be ordained a priest?
I was having a conversation with my friend and the question came up of whether a nun (not a postulant or novice, but someone who is higher up the hierarchy) can hear a confession? I'm aware that a Mother Superior/Abbess probably can't grant absolution (that being sole privilege of an ordained priest), but I was wondering about simply hearing the confession? I suppose the whole not-being-allowed-to-grant-absolution nullifies the whole point of going to confession in the first place.
Is there a way that we can change things up a bit in church history that a Mother Superior/Abbess (at least) is allowed to hear confession (and perhaps even grant absolution)? Or would this be seen as radical as allowing a woman to be ordained a priest?