International Catholic University
I. The Sacraments of Healing: penance, anointing
II. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
A. Sources on Sacraments of Penance and Anointing
1. B. Poschmann, Penance and the Anointing of the Sick (NY: Herder and Herder, 1964). On historical development. [abbrev. PAS]
2. Council of Trent in Neuner-Dupuis, The Christian Faith, 5th ed., nos 1601-1690 (abbrev CF).
3. Paul VI, The Rite of Penance [Ordo Penitentiae], 1973 (abbrev OP) and Ordo unctionis infirmorum (1972)
4. Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1420-1532 (abbrev. CCC)
5. Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church (abbrev CIC), canons 959-1007
6. John Paul II, Apost. Exhortation Reconciliation and Penance, 1984 (abbrev RP)
7. C. Litzinger, s.v. "Penance," New Catholic Encyclopedia
B. Historical Development
1. Biblical Basis: Authority of the Church to forgive sin & judge in God's name
a. Lk 24: 47 Penance (metanoia) & the remission of sins to be preached
b. 1 Jn 1:9 "If we acknowledge our sins, he who is just can be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrong." (Note in NAB says this probably refers to a rite of confession).
c. Jas 5:14-16 Presbyters. "And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another."
d. Mt 18: 15-18 Church given disciplinary power over those who lapse into sin: excommunication=binding & loosing (see CCC 1444)
(1) excommunication was a Jewish practice
(2) "binding & loosing": rabbinical terms meaning to impose & lift the ban
(3) reconciliation comes through the mediation of the Church
(4) not just juridical (earthly) consequences but heavenly (eternal)
e. Jn 20:22f Risen Christ breathes on disciples: "Receive the HS" (CCC 1441)
f. words are parallel to binding & loosing of Mat 18:15-18
(1) no sins excluded from the scope of this power
(2) sentence of apostles has eternal consequences
(3) power to forgive sins comes from the Holy Spirit
(4) Origen (d. 255) interprets this as sacrament of penance (On Prayer, 28,9) as does Ambrose (On Penance, 1,2,6)
(5) Tridentine dogmatic exegesis
g. Paul: Some Important Texts
(1) 1 Cor 5:3-5 Paul: "delivering up to Satan" = excommunicate.
(a) Implies that the person is subjected to Satan's dominion and is punished by him with bodily and spiritual afflictions.
(b) severance of relations is the severest form of admonition
(2) Titus 3:10. "give a heretic one warning, then a second, and after that avoid his company." Cf. Mat 18:15-17
(3) 1 Tim 1:20 Excommunication Hymenaeus and Alexander
(4) 2 Cor 2:5-11 ecclesiastical reconciliation: illustrates the goal of excommunication: repentance. Cf. 2 Cor 13:10-11 "I write this while I am away from you, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. . . . Mend your ways." (RSV)
h. Hebrews: Beware of Misunderstandings
(1) 6:4-6 "For it is impossible to renew again unto repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift . . . and then have fallen away; since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and make him a mockery." deals with the possibility of true repentance, not Church's authority to forgive
(2) 10:26ff "For if we sin willingly after having received knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no further sacrifice for sin; but only a terrible expectation of judgement." Rejection of Christ (apostasy) cuts one off from the only sacrifice of sin that is effective.
(3) the unforgivable sin is unrepentant rejection of Christ
2. Biblical Basis: Distinction between Guilt & Temporal Punishment
a. The importance of satisfaction or penance
b. 2 Sam 12: 13f David forgiven, but the child conceived through adultery dies and the consequences in vv 10-12 still stand.
c. Ps. 99: 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel among those who called on God's name; they called on the LORD, who answered them. 7 From the pillar of cloud God spoke to them; they kept the decrees, the law they received. 8 O LORD, our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God, though you punished their offenses. 9 Exalt the LORD, our God; bow down before his holy mountain; holy is the LORD, our God." (NAB)
d. Lk 3:7-14 John the Baptist: important of contrition and penance illustrated by John being sent as precursor. Illustrates that the biblical model of metanoia is both inward and outward
e. Zechariah in Lk 1: 20 muteness a punishment intended as remedial. Helps him move from unbelief to faith (Lk 1:67-79)
f. Lk 19:1-10 Zacchaeus; Heb 12:5ff "Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord . . . for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines."
3. 2-8th Centuries: Public Canonical Penance (CCC 1446-7)
a. More development in the "form" of Penance than in most other sacraments
b. Early treatises: Shepherd of Hermas (c. 130), Tertullian's On Penance (c. 195), Clement & Origen of Alexandria
c. Novatians, Montanists, & other rigorists (2nd -4th centuries)
(1) objected to reconciliation of those sinning after baptism
(2) they were regarded as heretics by the Great Church
(3) see 1st Nicaea (325) in canon 8 (CF 1601). Canon 13 says the church cannot deny viaticum (deathbed communion) to a repentant sinner
d. 3 kinds of penance (in 4th Century)
(1) Pre-baptismal penance
(2) Penance for sins of daily occurrence
(3) Public penance (exomologesis): "2nd plank after shipwreck"
(a) for mortal sins, especially apostasy, adultery, murder, it was imposed by Church
(b) for lesser crimes, could be voluntarily undertaken
(c) should not occur in the normal Christian life
(d) Only once in a lifetime, like baptism: viaticum for recidivists
(e) Public penance did not mean public confession. Pope Leo I (see CF 1606)
e. Order of penitents similar to order of catechumens
(1) admitted by imposition of hands only after proving earnestness;
(2) special dress, special places in Church; not allowed to stay for anaphora (Eucharistic prayer) & communion
(3) longer time of preparation & fasting than for catechumens. 5,7,10 years, sometimes lifetime for grave sins; 1 Lent for lesser
f. Satisfaction in Public, Canonical Penance
(1) Satisfaction seen as necessary: generally severe and long penances
(2) Satisfaction done before reconciliation [absolution], especially in Lent. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving.
(3) Increasingly severe requirements for rest of life: continence
g. Procedures vary from place to place: Asia Minor much more elaborate & severe--4 stages
(1) mourners: outside on steps
(2) hearers: in back of church
(3) kneelers: with congregation but on knees
(4) bystanders: with congregation but dismissed early
h. Meaning & goal
(1) reconciliation with Church as sign & instrument of reconciliation with God (CCC 1445)
(2) restoration of the indwelling HS lost by mortal sin
(3) healing & conversion of penitent
(4) warning to the rest of the community
i. Means:
(1) the efficacious intercession of the Church, the body of Christ. Special efficacy of prayer of martyrs & confessors
(2) contrition produced by and symbolized by penance
(3) laying on of hands by bishop & presbyters on Holy Thursday which conferred the HS (Jn 20:21)
j. Minister: bishop, as successor of apostles, holder of keys, possessor of HS
k. Unintended pastoral effect:
(1) most postponed it until end of life
(2) practically disappeared by about year 800
4. Development of Private Penance (500-1000)
a. Celtic monastic practice:
(1) as part of ongoing penance & conversion, confession of large & great sins repeatedly in the course of spiritual direction
(2) minister: ordinarily a priest
(3) monks came as missionaries to the continent during 6th-8th centuries, brought their custom of auricular confession
(4) The new practice quickly supplanted the moribund public canonical penance (by about 750 AD)
b. "Tariff" penances: still severe
(1) priest as judge
(2) Penitential books proscribe set penalties for certain sins.
(3) increased emphasis on confession: species, number, etc
(4) pilgrimage, crusade, flagellation ("the discipline")
(5) originally, satisfaction carried out before reconciliation
(6) Around 1000 AD: reconciliation before carrying out of satisfaction
(7) McNeill, John T and Helena M. Gamer, eds. Medieval Handbooks of Penance: A Translation. NY: Columbia Univ., 1965. BQT 446 M43 1990.
c. 4th Lateran Council 1215 (see CF 1608)
(1) mandates once per year (for those in serious sin). CIC 989, CCC 1547 (CCC 2042 neglects to mention that the obligation strictly pertains only to confession of serious sin)
(2) encourages confession as a normal way to remit venial sins
d. Confessionals: came into use after Trent (mid sixteenth century)
C. Theological Examination of Magisterial Teaching on Sacrament of Penance
1. The Overall Context of the Second Conversion (CCC 1427-29)
a. origin of private confession-a tool in the quest for ongoing conversion and growth in holiness that is characteristic of monastic life
b. Renewal of baptism, the sacrament the 1st conversion
c. 2nd conversion "an uninterrupted task of the whole Church" OP 4 speaks of "constant conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ" CF 1669. Trent: whole Christian life a "continual penance" CF 1635
d. St Ambrose: water & tears (CCC 1429 & OP 2)
e. Like all sacraments, the application of the power & fruits of the paschal mystery. Trent, CF 1615
2. 3 "acts of the penitent" or " parts of penance" (the "quasi-matter"). See Council of Florence (1439) in CF 1612 and Trent's decree, chapter 3 (CF 1620)
a. Contrition: (synonym for inner conversion or repentance)
(1) treated by Trent in Chap 4 (CF 1622-24)
(2) 3 parts: sorrow [not feeling but decision], hatred for sin, purpose of amendment (CCC 1451)
(3) imperfect ["attrition"] vs. perfect contrition (charity, when God is loved above all else). The former is sufficient CF 1624. The latter effects reconciliation even before the sacrament is received, even in the case of mortal sin. CF 1623. CCC 1452-3.
(4) context of faith in God's help, hope in his mercy.
(5) The most important of the 3 parts: without contrition, there can be no forgiveness! Impenitence is the unforgivable sin. "Upon contrition of heart depends the truth of penance." OP 6a, RP 31/III). "Among the penitent's acts, contrition occupies first place." CCC 1451
(6) Church never taught that forgiveness could be obtained without right disposition CF 1624.
b. Confession (priest as judge & physician)
(1) confession of sin & of God's mercy (Augustine & OP 6b)
(2) follows examination of conscience in light of WOG. CCC 1454
(3) penitents must confess all unconfessed mortal sins that they remember: not to worry about sins of which one is unaware or has forgotten. Trent CF 1626 (CCC 1456, CIC 988.1)
(4) not required to confess venial sin [it's recommended] CF 1626 (CCC 1458, CIC 988.2)
(5) faithful always free to choose their confessor, even if of another rite (CIC 991)
c. Satisfaction or penance (outward conversion or repentance)
(1) Trent, chapter 8; CCC 1459-60
(2) Obligation to perform assigned penance CIC 981
(3) Biblical examples of temporal punishment due to sin:
(a) 2 Sam 12:13f. David
(b) Lk 1: Zechariah.
(4) Means of Satisfaction
(a) Voluntary: Prayer, alms, fasting CCC 1460
(b) Involuntary: patient acceptance of suffering assigned by God ranks #1 says Trent in CF 1634: "this is the most forceful proof of love . . . by the temporal afflictions imposed upon us by God, if we bear them with patience." Cited in CCC 1460
(5) Purpose of satisfaction:
(a) Destroy our attachment to sin. CF 1631
(b) Repair damage done by sin to self & others CCC 1459; healing CF 1631. Part of the value of penitential suffering is the "rebuilding or strengthening of goodness in the one who suffers." JP II, Salvifici Doloris 12
(c) Configures us, joins us to Christ's work of satisfaction. It is Christ who gives our work of satisfaction efficacy. CF 1631f
3. Absolution from the minister (the "form" of the sacrament, CF 1612, Florence)
a. Original role of bishop as ordinary minister brings out communal dimension CCC 1462. Now presbyter also an ordinary minister & can always administer the sacrament validly.
b. Priest must absolve if there is no doubt of penitents disposition. CIC 980
c. Faculties
(1) presbyter needs "faculties" from local ordinary for liceity (CIC 977).
(2) Bishops and Cardinals have faculties everywhere (CIC 966)
(3) Deacon cannot be given faculties since the charism is not imparted in diaconal ordination. Deacon can never administer the sacrament validly, but can help a person come to perfect contrition (CIC 965).
d. Excommunication CCC 1463. Usually priest needs special faculties to absolve this; involvement in abortion entails excommunication automatically yet faculties have been given to all priests to absolve in this case as well as in cases where someone is in danger of death (CIC 976)
e. Priest as intercessor must pray and do penance for penitents CCC 1466
f. "Sacramental seal": priest, interpreter, anyone else involved in the sacrament bound to absolute secrecy under grave canonical penalty (CIC 983)
4. Effects or Fruits of the Sacrament CCC 1496 (the res, CF 1621)
a. reconciles with God, restoration of intimate friendship
b. reconciles with Church: revitalizes Church (pond-ripple) LG 11
c. reconciles with self & all creation (JP II)
d. remission of eternal punishment incurred by mortal sin
e. remission at least in part of temporal punishment of sin
f. peace of conscience & spiritual consolation
g. increase of spiritual strength
h. Renewal of baptism: we can only be baptized in water once, but in penance we are immersed again & again in God's Mercy!
D. The Pastoral Use & Promotion of the Sacrament
1. Name of the sacrament: multiple names acceptable (CCC 1423-4)
2. Sacrament of Penance in crisis: Synod, RP 28.
3. restoration of the sense of sin necessary. Catechesis needed on conversion, doing penance, conscience and its formation, mortal & venial sin, fasting, almsgiving RP 26 (CF 1675)
4. in Latin Church, must precede 1st communion (not for East) for liceity. Must also precede confirmation. See W 70.
5. All Catholics who commit mortal sin must use it before going to communion unless access to confession is physically or morally impossible & there is perfect contrition; must confess asap CCC 1457).
6. CCC 1458 great benefit in confessing daily venial sins in the sacrament (Pius XII, Mystici Corporis, 1943)
7. Normally done in a church. Fixed grill must be available. CIC 964.
8. 3 forms of administration of the Sacrament (2 ordinary, 1 extraordinary. CIC 961)
a. Individual (Ordinary)
b. Group with individual confession & absolution (Ordinary & encouraged)
(1) preparatory readings from Scripture
(2) best brings out ecclesial dimension CCC 1482
(3) need for multiple priests
c. Group with General Confession & Absolution (extraordinary) OP 31 (CF 1670, CIC 961)
(1) reserved for when it is a "physical or moral impossibility" for people to confess individually
(2) only in cases of grave necessity (war, etc) or when, due to insufficient number of priests, people would be deprived of the sacraments for a long time. Not just because a major feast is imminent.
(3) It's the job of a bishop to determine when these conditions are met
(4) must be preceded by act of contrition (CIC 962)
(5) obligation to confess all grave sins in individual confession at the first opportunity before receiving general absolution again, unless a just cause prevents it (CIC 963)
(6) why? Insufficient provision for personal "diagnosis" & "prescription".
E. The Text of the Revised Rite of Individual Confession (see W 71)
1. Richly biblical character of all prayers
a. priest's reception of penitent
b. optional reading of the Word of God
c. prayer of the penitent (note the variety!)
2. Trinitarian formula of absolution