If priests do this, can they still absolve sins?
Only Jesus can forgive sins.
According to many FRoman Catholics right here on FR, yes, as long as their intent is right.
The personal life and sin of a priest does not negate his ability to perform mass etc, and hey, after all, *We're all sinners*, *They're just sinners, just like the rest of us*, *Hey, nobody is perfect, after all.*, ad nauseum in their defense of their church.
they hear each other’s confessions and then feel their beads