Absolution

Absolution is the formal remission of sins pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance. In Catholic teaching, it follows confession and expresses God’s forgiveness through the Church’s ministry.

Sacrament of Penance: A Christian sacrament in which sins are confessed and absolution is received. Absolution is the concluding act of this sacrament.
Sin: An offense against divine law or a failure to fulfill moral duty in religious traditions. Absolution addresses sins understood as ruptures in a person’s relationship with God.
General absolution: Absolution imparted to a group without each person first making individual confession. It differs from the ordinary individual form and is permitted only under defined conditions.
Early Christianity: The diverse Christian communities and beliefs of the first centuries after Jesus’s death. Early Christians developed practices of repentance and reconciliation that preceded later forms of absolution.
Confession (religion): The admission of sins to a religious minister or to God. In sacramental penance, confession ordinarily precedes absolution.
Forgiveness: The release of resentment, blame, or a claim for punishment after an offense. Absolution is a formal sacramental act of forgiveness, not merely personal pardon.
Private confession: An individual confession of sins to a minister, distinguished from public or communal confession. Individual confession is the usual context for sacramental absolution.
Tertullian: An early Christian author from Carthage whose writings shaped Latin theology. His writings describe public practices of penitence in early Christian communities.
Contrition: Sorrow for sin arising from love of God or fear of its consequences. Contrition is a disposition required for receiving sacramental forgiveness.
Priesthood: The ordained ministry authorized to perform sacramental functions in Christian churches. A priest pronounces sacramental absolution as an ordained minister.

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