An unbeliever shall have a double condemnation; one from the law which he hath transgressed, and another from the gospel, which he hath despised: as a malefactor, that being condemned and dead in law, rejecteth his prince’s pardon. But it is otherwise with these that are in Christ Jesus. The law cannot condemn them, because they have appealed; the gospel cannot because they have believed.
John Trapp

Absolution

Absolution

ABSOLUTION

BASIC R.C. BELIEF The remission of sins in Confession by an authorized priest, in the Sacrament of Penance. The power to absolve is given to the priest at ordination, but can only be exercised within the jurisdiction given to him by his religious superior, except when there is danger of death.

In order for the absolution to be valid, the penitent must have confessed all known sins, firmly resolve not to sin again and intend to perform his penance.

Conditional absolution is given when the priest is not certain of the conditions or dispositions of the penitent.

The punishment for sin is only partially satisfied; the remainder must be satisfied by good works, almsgiving, indulgenced prayers and purgatory.

General absolution is given without confession when confession is impossible. Absolution is regarded as Christ’s forgiveness. The basis for absolution, according to THE EXTERNALS OF THE CATHOLIC

CHURCH (Msgr. O’Sullivan) is “the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merits of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, whatever good thou hast done and whatever evil thou has borne.” St. Augustine tells us that the words which the priest says to the sinner, “I absolve thee”, are infinitely more powerful than the word by which Almighty God created the world (THE CONFESSIONAL, Thomas Burke, O.P., Catholic Truth Society, page 9).

WORDS OF ABSOLUTION: “May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you, and by His authority I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

POST VATICAN II In the Rite of Reconciliation, the words of absolution (reconciliation) are: “God the Father of mercies has reconciled the world to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son, and has poured forth the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. May He grant you pardon and peace through the ministry of the Church. And I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

The words of absolution might vary, but the important phrase is “I absolve you.” (T.C.)

CHRISTIAN COMMENT Though the Rite of Reconciliation uses more scriptural language, it is still far from Biblical forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:14; I John 1:9; 2:1; Psalms 103:12).

SECULAR JOURNALS In some Dutch churches, members of the congregation mentally express their sorrow for sin while publicly reciting an act of contrition, then receive absolution in a group from their priests (TIME, 10/3/67).

CATHOLIC JOURNALS From CATHOLIC NEW YORK, 3/19/87. “GENERAL ABSOLUTION PROHIBITED IN DETROIT. In a lenten pastoral letter on penance, Archbishop Edmund Szoka of Detroit has declared that conditions for general absolution do not exist in his archdiocese. Parishes holding sacramental communal penance services must provide in advance for enough priests to hear confessions individually, he said.