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.
General absolution is given without confession when confession is impossible.
Absolution is regarded as Christ's forgiveness. 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. 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.