Reconciliation

The sacrament of Reconciliation is sometimes called ‘confession’ or ‘penance'. It is also considered a sacrament of conversion because the person is responding to the call of Jesus to return to obedience to God the Father.

Significance

By confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness, Catholics believe they're reconciled with God and with those who were hurt by their sins.
Catholics believe the Church was given the power to forgive sins by Christ when he said to Peter, ‘If you forgive anyone’s sins they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them they are not forgiven’ (John 20:23 NIV).

Parts of the sacrament of Reconciliation

The person confesses their sins.
The priest will often offer advice.
The person makes an act of contrition, a prayer in which they say they are sorry for their sins.
The priest usually gives the penitent a ‘penance’ - an act to perform or prayers to say to help them grow closer to God and reject sinfulness.
The priest will say the prayer of absolution (or God’s forgiveness).

Effect of Reconciliation on Catholics’ Lives

Catholics are encouraged to confess their sins regularly to a priest.

Frequency

Exactly how often the sacrament is to be received is not specified, except that the Church says at least once a year.
Many Catholics will seek Reconciliation more often.
The priest is bound to keep the confession secret.

Conditions for forgiveness

For a person to be forgiven for their sins, they must be genuinely sorry.
They must also have a firm purpose of amendment, meaning that they honestly intend to try not to sin again.

Effect of Reconciliation

By making this formal action of receiving the sacrament, Catholics believe that they receive a special grace that helps them try to avoid sinning in the future.
It is also believed that when they unburden themselves of their sins in this way, they can experience an inner peace.

Importance

The Catholic Church teaches that it is essential for Catholics to confess their serious sins (or ‘mortal sins’) in this way.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

Jump to other topics