[Mrs. Don-o]

Old Yeller, the validity of the Sacrament does not depend upon sinlessness on the part of the priest. If it did, nobody could EVER be sure he had received the Sacrament, since nobody can know the possibly hidden sins on another person's soul.

The Sacrament is effective ex opere operato --- that is, "by the work worked." Jesus gives the absolution: it is not based on the priest's merit.

[Iscool]

The Sacrament is effective ex opere operato --- that is, "by the work worked." Jesus gives the absolution: it is not based on the priest's merit.

One has to assume then that the priest has received a supernatural power to know whether the confessor is telling the truth...