Sacrament of Penance

This article is about one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. For confession in other religions, see Confession (disambiguation) § Religion. For penance in other religions, see Penance. For reconciliation in other religions, see Reconciliation (theology).
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The Sacrament of Penance[a] (also commonly called the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession) is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church (known in Eastern Christianity as sacred mysteries), in which the faithful are absolved from sins committed after baptism and reconciled with the Christian community. During reconciliation, mortal sins must be confessed and venial sins may be confessed for devotional reasons. According to the dogma and unchanging practice of the church, only those ordained as priests may grant absolution.[3]

  1. ^ "The Sacrament of Penance". 1983 Code of Canon Law.
  2. ^ "Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation". Catechism of the Catholic Church.
  3. ^ "The Roman Catholic Church dogmas Doctrine of Salvation Catholic Apologetics".


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