An Apologetical Explanation of the

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

Why is the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation necessary?

[Jesus] breathed on [the disciples], and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  (Jn 20:23)

“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”  (Lk 13:3)

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, or simply Confession, was instituted by Christ to forgive those sins committed after Baptism; for this reason, Tertullian called it “the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace” (De pænit., 4, 2: PL 1, 1343; cf. Council of Trent [1547]: DS 1542).  Bishops and priests are empowered to give us absolution in the name of Christ.

Baptism cleanses us from all sin, but the inclination to sin, or concupiscence, remains part of the human condition.  Christ established the Sacrament of Penance as a means to receive God’s forgiveness and healing for sins committed after Baptism.  (Cf. CCC 986, 1423, 1486)

Christ entrusted this ministry to the Apostles (cf. Jn 20:23, and this power is handed on through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  Through the Sacrament of Penance, God reconciles the penitent with himself and his Church and restores his friendship after it has been either broken through mortal sin or wounded by venial sin.  (Cf. CCC 976, 1446)

To receive God’s forgiveness the penitent must have contrition for his or her sins.  When a person is sorry for sins out of love for God, it is called perfect contrition; when sorrow arises from fear of Hell or punishment, it is called imperfect contrition.  Either perfect or imperfect contrition is sufficient for divine forgiveness.  (Cf. CCC 1440, 1451-1454)

The form of the Sacrament has changed over the centuries, but its essential elements—admission of guilt, contrition, absolution, and penance—have remained.  In the Rite of Penance, the penitent confesses aloud to a bishop or priest, who grants absolution and prescribes a penance or restitution.  (Cf. CCC 1447, 1450, 1460, 1491, 1494)

In addition to forgiving sins, the Sacrament of Penance restores sanctifying grace lost by mortal sin, remits eternal punishment and part of the temporal punishment due to sin, imparts actual graces to avoid sin in the future, reconciles the penitent with the Church, and gives peace of conscience and spiritual consolation.  (Cf. CCC 980, 1422, 1468-1471, 1496)

While the Church requires Catholics to confess all mortal sins at least once yearly, it is best to confess any mortal sin as soon as possible.  The Church recommends frequent confession even of venial sins as a way to help combat sinful tendencies.  (Cf. CCC 1456-1458)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraph 1446.

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