The Irish standard., 1890-01-25
WHAT Is ABSOLuTION.
And Does the Priest Forgive Pen1tents ia
,Ooufession2

Classical authors usp the Latin word
absolution-literally, unbinding or un-
loosing-to signify acqulttal from a
criminal charge, and ecclesiastical
writer's have adopted the term, employ
ing it TO denote setting free from
crime or penalty. But, as crime and its
penalties are regarded even bY the
Church from very different points OF
view, "absolotion" IN Its ecclesiastical
use bears several senses, which it is I'M
portant to distinguish from one
another.
Association from SIN is remission OF
sin which the priest, by authority re
celved from Christ, makes in the Sacra-
ment of Penance. 1t is not mere
announcement OF the Gospel, or bare
declaration that God will pardon tne
SINS of those who repent, but, as the
Council OF Trent defines, it is a Judicial
act by which priest as judge passes
sentence on the penitent.
With regard to aDsolution thus under
stood, it is to be observed, first. that it
can be given by none but priests, aince
to them alone has Christ committed the
necessary power; and secondly, that
since absolution is judicial sentence,
the priest must have authority or Jurls
dlction over the person absOlyed. The
need of Jurisdiction. in order that abso
luton may be valid, is an article Of
faith defined at trent, and it follows
from the very nature Of absOlutlOn as
defined above, since the reason of things
requires thai judge should not pass
sentence except on one who is placed
under him, as the subject Of his court.
This jurisdiction may be ordinary-i. e.
it NAV dow from the office which the
confessor holds; or delegated. 9. it
NAV be gwen to the c0nfessor by one
who has ordinary jurisdiction with
power to confer it upon others, as his
delegates. Thus bishop has ordinary
jurisdiction over seculars and religious,
VINO are not exempt, in his diocese, aud
within its limits he can delegate juris
diction to priests secular or regular.
! Again, the prelates Of religious orders
exempt from the authority Of the bishop
have jurisdiction more or less ample
within their own order, and they can
absolve, or delegate power to absolye.
the members of the order who are SUB
ject to them; nor is it possible. ordinar
ily speaking, for the bishop, or priest
who LAS his powers from the bishop
only. to absolve such religious. More
over, a BISHOP or q prelate OF q religious
order. in comforting power to absotve
his subjects. may reserve the absolutlo'u o
or certain things to himself. The
Church, however, supplies all priests
with the power to absolve persons In
danger OF death. at least if theY cannot nm
Obtain priest with the usual ''facui-
ties'' or powers to absoly We.
Thirdly. absolution must 81 be m glven 10
words which express the efficacy OF alb
SOLUTION, VIZ. forgiveness Of Sin. The % 2
Roman i1,tua, prescribes the + form -
sstabsolve thee from Try sins, N the name 1su g
sof the Father and of the Son. and OF
sthe Holy Ghost 4 Beyonld1l 81 doubt 4
the ia. d, absolye thee from q thy sins
would suffice for the validity of the ElE'
! sacrament. But would q precatory form
savail such for example as,'' Y ay Jesus s
Christ absolye thee from thy sins {
be affirma has oeeI, mai ltsined bY
tl,e celebrated crit N Morin,as, Wnlle
o.irne nnan haYe fol
Ioped ,is opini; certaiIl tnat q
n, recatory
the