Question 279 – Is the Consecration valid if the priest does not believe on the real presence? Should the faithful avoid such Mass?

Interview Organization: The Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima
Interviewer Name: Christopher Wendt
Date: May 13, 2024
If a priest publicly declares doubts, it raises uncertainty, and it's better to avoid such a situation. When the priest doesn't openly express doubt, only God knows his intention. Even if he has reservations about the Real Presence, his actions might still be valid, but it’s better to seek another church to avoid harm to the faith of the participants.
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Transcript:

Well, when the priest declares it publicly, then it would be doubtful. It's better not to attend such a Mass. When he does not declare it formally and publicly, then we don't know, and it's better to go to this Mass, because only God knows the soul and the true intention. We cannot judge, even if the priest does not fully believe in the Real Presence of the Lord, but still wants to do what the Church is doing through the Mass. If he has the explicit intention of wanting to celebrate as the Church does, then it is probably valid. However, it would be better to seek another church, because this attitude of the priest could harm the faith of the participants when he expresses it in this way.