CATHEDRAL OF MARY OUR QUEEN
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A Visual Catholic Catechism
 

 

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Why do we go to Confession?

Question: Who forgives the sins we bring to the Sacrament of Confession: Is it the priest or is it God?

Answer: "The formula of absolution used in the Latin [Roman Catholic] Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church."

(Catechism para. 1449)
 

What is "absolution???

Our sins are absolved, removed from us as far as the East is from the West (cf. Psalm 103:12), by the mercy of God through the words of the priest. At the moment of absolution, the priest says:

"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Why is this absolution required from a Catholic priest?

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