**“But it is NOT the Sacrament of PENANCE!”**
I was talking about the people in the rite of whom you are speaking.
When I hit the post button on that I realize I jumped from one thought to another and that it would be misunderstood.
Minds move faster than fingers sometimes. LOL!
“I was talking about the people in the rite of whom you are speaking.”
So was I. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the Orthodox sacrament of penance. And that sacrament for us is very often done with a non-ordained person.
Or am I still misunderstanding you?