Joy of forgiving, being forgiven are ‘united’ in confessional

Last updated on: March 28, 2014 at 6:03 am by CNA Daily News

Joy of forgiving, being forgiven are ‘united’ in confessional 2014-03-28T06:03:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2014 / 12:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said sinners should not be afraid of the Sacrament of Confession because in the confessional “the joy of forgiving and the joy of being forgiven are united.”

The Apostolic Penitentiary is the tribunal of the Roman Curia that deals with the internal forum – matters of Confession and spiritual direction – and with indulgences.

Cardinal Piacenza told Vatican Radio that the Sacrament of Confession is also a grace for the priest who absolves sins.

“It is a great gift also for us priests who, while called to exercise this ministry, have our faults to correct, so we are penitents and confessors at the same time.”

“It is more important than ever that confessors know how to welcome the penitent,” Cardinal Piacenza continued, emphasizing that priests need to sit in the confessional at times that are convenient for the faithful.

The Penitentiary is currently holding a weeklong course in the Palace of the Chancery in Rome for nearly 500 priests and seminarians – the 25th annual instance of the course.

The meeting will conclude Friday with an audience with Pope Francis. In the afternoon there will be a penitential liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica, when the Pope will hear confessions and inaugurate the “feast of forgiveness,” during which parishes will stay open 24 hours for confessions.

According to Cardinal Piacenza, confessors need to develop their spiritual and pastoral sensitivity with serious theological, moral, and pedagogical preparation so they can understand the experience of the penitent.

“They need to know where the penitent lives, the society that surrounds him, the family context. All of that should not only be part of the initial, but also the permanent, formation of the clergy.”

Cardinal Piacenza said Confession should be clear, simple, and complete, and include sincere repentance for true conversion: “In this way our existence is oriented again toward the path of love for God and for neighbour.”

The value of Confession lies in the grace of forgiveness that reaches the roots of sin committed after Baptism and that heals imperfections and deviations, giving the believer the strength for a real conversion.

“It is always a joyful celebration of the love of God who gives himself destroying our sin when we willing to recognized it with humility,” the cardinal said.

Vatican

Previous Post

March 27, 2014

Pope urges lawmakers to embrace faith over 'theology of duty'

Next Post

March 28, 2014 Cardinal Burke stresses Catholic media’s 'supreme importance'

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many times does Jesus perform a miracle in the Gospel of John?

Select your answer to see how you score.

10 12 5 7