A Deacon Says the Words of Absolution???

There seems to be some confusion.

First, in noting the “Lord have mercy” at a Communion service, you are referring to the penitential rite. At the end of that rite, a deacon (or layperson) concludes, “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.” The people respond, “Amen” (Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass [Eucharistiae Sacramentum], 28).

When responding to this prayer with true contrition, the faithful gathered are forgiven of their venial sins, not their mortal sins (the forgiveness of which requires sacramental absolution). Indeed, the forgiveness of venial sins received by the faithful at a Communion service is not dependent upon any ministerial power invested in the presiding deacon or layperson who prays this prayer, but rather on the sincere contrition of each respective penitent gathered. The forgiveness received is similar to how a person can have his venial sins forgiven by a sincere act of contrition apart from the sacrament of confession.