"A Denied Absolution Saved Me" (The Inner Life with Patrick Conley)

If you've ever been denied absolution, it can be a very startling experience. Could it actually lead you closer to Jesus in the long run, though?

Patrick Conley and Fr. Patrick Broussard talk to Ellen from San Francisco, who shares her uncomfortable encounters which actually planted a seed of conversion!

In her 20s, Ellen was living in sexual sin. When the priest questioned her remorse in the confessional, she didn't seem to show true sorrow or a willingness to change. Remarkably, the priest chose not to grant absolution. 

This decision left Ellen feeling unsettled. As she continued on with her relationship, two things happened. Firstly, her mother, in a rare display of raw vulnerability, showed disapproval of Ellen's plans to live with her partner. This was a wake-up call for Ellen, leading her to take a leap of faith. She broke up with her boyfriend. 

Secondly, a friend challenged Ellen's actions. Over time, influenced by these experiences and her faith, Ellen and her new boyfriend in the early 80s chose a path of chastity, a decision that marked a significant shift in her life.

Check out the entire episode about the Sacrament of Reconciliation here!