Reconciliation
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 3.2.4
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.
Test yourself on Reconciliation
Who do Catholics think they are reconciled with by confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness?
What are the other names for the sacrament of Reconciliation?
How often does the Church say Reconciliation should be received?
What must a person do or feel to be forgiven for their sins?
What do Catholics believe they gain from receiving Reconciliation?