My brother had a stroke and cannot speak or write clearly; how can he go to confession?
A viewer explains that his brother had a stroke years ago and since then cannot speak clearly or write legibly, and asks how his brother can make confessions, or whether he is exempted from the sacrament.
Answer
Nobody is exempt. If you have a mortal sin, the Church says the only way it is forgiven is a legitimate confession to a priest who then absolves you. But he only needs sacramental confession if he has a mortal sin, which would be hard for a man in his condition. Venial sins we can and should confess directly to God every day, before we go to sleep, and God forgives them; only mortal sin requires going to the priest. So if your brother does commit a mortal sin, there are always means: invite the priest over privately, perhaps for dinner, and have your brother write it down or type it out, 'Bless me father, it has been six months since my last confession, since then I have committed such and such,' and hand it to the priest. Do it in private, not in public, and his responsibility is fulfilled.