The Sacrament of
Reconciliation
Reconciliation
In the Sacrament of
Penance the faithful
“obtain from God’s mercy
pardon for having
offended Him and at the
same time reconciliation
with the Church, which
they have wounded by
the sins and which by
charity, example and
prayer seek their
conversion”
Rite of Penance #4
Reconciliation
Biblical Basis
After his
Resurrection,
Jesus told the
apostles, “Whose
sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and
whose sins you
retain are retained”
John 20:23
Reconciliation
Other names of the
sacrament
Confession
Penance
Forgiveness
Reconciliation
It is called the sacrament of
confession, since the disclosure
or confession of sins to a priest
is an essential element of this
sacrament. In a profound sense
it is also a "confession" acknowledgment and praise - of
the holiness of God and of his
mercy toward sinful man.
CCC 1424
Reconciliation
Biblical Basis
“Therefore, confess
your sins to one
another and pray for
one another, that you
may be healed. The
fervent prayer of a
righteous person is
very powerful”
James 5:16
Reconciliation
It is called the sacrament of
forgiveness, since by the
priest's sacramental
absolution God grants the
penitent "pardon and
peace".
CCC 1424
Reconciliation
It is called the sacrament of
Reconciliation, because it
imparts to the sinner the
love of God who reconciles.
CCC 1424
Reconciliation
Historical Development
During the first hundred
years of Christianity sinners
were corrected and helped
but obdurate sinners were
excluded from the church
until they reformed their
lives.
Reconciliation
Historical Development
In the year 150, Hermas
propose that post baptismal sins
can be forgiven but only once.
Penance was implemented
against four scandalous sins:
murder
adultery
heresy
apostasy
Reconciliation
Historical Development
Canonical penance
– An interior admission of sin
– A public admission of sin in the
presence of the bishop and
accompanied by a sponsor
– Enrollment to the “order of
penitent”
– A period of penance (as long as 7
years)
– Exclusion from receiving the
Eucharist
– Reconciliation to the church
Reconciliation
Historical Development
During the seventh to eleventh
century, private confession
emerges.
Irish monks confess their sins to
their brother priest or their
abbot.
As private confession
developed, confession to a
priest or bishop is required.
Reconciliation
Historical Development
Years after, penitential
books were developed
which listed every kind of
sin and appropriate
penance.
Reconciliation
Historical Development
Vatican II, proposed
revision for the
sacrament of penance,
which focused on the
importance of
reconciliation.
Reconciliation
Important elements
This inner conversion embraces
sorrow for sin and intent to lead a
new life (Contrition).
It is expressed through confession
made to the church, due expiation,
and amendment of life (Acts of
Penance).
God grants pardon for sin through
the church which works by the
ministry of priests (Absolution).
Rite of Penance #6
Reconciliation
Minister of the Sacrament
Christ has entrusted the ministry
of Reconciliation to his apostles,
to the bishops who are their
successors and to the priests who
are the collaborators of the
bishops, all of whom become
thereby instruments of the mercy
and justice of God. They exercise
their power of forgiving sins in the
name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Compendium, 307
Reconciliation
Is a confessor bound to secrecy?
Given the delicacy and greatness
of this ministry and the respect
due to people every confessor,
without any exception and under
very severe penalties, is bound to
maintain “the sacramental seal”
which means absolute secrecy
about the sins revealed to him in
confession.
Compendium, 309
Reconciliation
The effects of this sacrament?
reconciliation with God and
therefore the forgiveness of sins;
reconciliation with the Church;
recovery, if it has been lost, of the
state of grace;
remission of the eternal
punishment merited by mortal
sins, and remission, at least in
part, of the temporal punishment
which is the consequence of sin;
peace, serenity of conscience and
spiritual consolation;
and an increase of spiritual
strength for the struggle of
Christian living.
Compendium , 310