PENANCE: THE SECOND SACRAMENT

PART OF SEVEN SACRAMENT SERIES

Photo: acatholiclife.blogspot.com / March 16, 2006
Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Introduction

Penance (also known as Sacrament of Reconciliation or confession) is an act of self-punishment or devotion to atone for a sin or wrongdoing. It can refer to a voluntary action, like prayer or fasting, done out of regret, or to a sacrament in some Christian denominations that involves confession to a priest, absolution, and a penance assigned by the confessor. In a broader sense, it can also mean something one has to do even though they dislike it.

Penance is an essential part of the sacrament of reconciliation (or confession) in denominations such as the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran churches.

Concept

In Catholicism

Typically, confessing either mortal or venial sins, before receiving Holy Communion if they are aware of having committed a mortal sin. A mortal sin severs one's relationship with God, and receiving Communion in this state would be a sacrilege. Confession is also recommended for venial sins to help strengthen one's conscience and relationship with Christ. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, § 1457)

This practice is biblically supported by Jesus's words to the apostles: "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22–23). Catholics interpret this as Jesus giving the clergy authority to act as his instruments of mercy (Horn, 2021).

In Orthodox

Confession is a sacrament, or sacred mystery, where an individual confesses their sins to Christ in the presence of a priest. Unlike the common depiction of a screened confessional booth, the penitent and priest typically stand or sit face-to-face in a quiet area of the church, often before an icon of Christ. The Orthodox tradition views sin as a spiritual illness and confession as a path to healing and reconciliation with both God and the Church (Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church, 2022).

The Orthodox tradition emphasizes sin as a spiritual sickness, whereas the Catholic tradition often views it from a more legalistic perspective. Orthodoxy does not distinguish between "mortal" and "venial" sins in the same way Catholicism does. Orthodox confession is typically done face-to-face in the open, unlike the traditional Catholic practice of using a confessional booth.

In Lutheran Church

Penance is centered on the sacrament of confession and absolution, which is a reformed version of the practice supported by Martin Luther. Unlike the Roman Catholic concept that requires "satisfaction of deeds," Lutherans believe that absolution is received through faith. The practice typically involves a private confession to a pastor, followed by an absolution, which is often seen as a consoling application of God's promises to the conscience. (Rittgers, 2017). The pastor pronounces absolution, which is understood as God's direct promise of forgiveness, after the confession. The confessor is bound by the Seal of the Confessional and cannot reveal what was said during a private confession. (Jordahn, 1988)

Criticism

Criticism of Catholic penance focuses on its sacramental and judicial nature, its requirement for confession to a priest, and its perceived emphasis on works-based salvation rather than faith alone. Other criticisms include the potential for a superficial or "hasty" approach to the sacrament, especially in communal services, and the possibility of a priest's poor judgment in absolution. Protestants often argue that a direct confession to God is sufficient and that the Catholic system can be unbiblical.

They point to 1 Timothy 2:5 ("There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus") to argue that only Christ can mediate forgiveness, doing penance as usurping Christ's singular role as the mediator between God and humanity, which they believe contradicts this verse and they interpret this verse as meaning that only Jesus can mediate the forgiveness of sins, and therefore, no other human should be in a position to grant absolution. Although Catholics agree that Christ is the one and only ultimate mediator, they distinguish between the singular mediation of Christ and a secondary, "subordinate" mediation of the saints and clergy (Staples, 2013).

A major disagreement is the necessity of confessing sins to a priest for absolution. Protestants believe that one can confess directly to God, and a priest's role is not essential for reconciliation. While the Church points to verses in John 20:23 and Matthew 16:19, Protestants counter that these passages do not mandate auricular confession to a priest. and they argue that do not refer to the Sacrament of Penance, as is sometimes claimed by Catholic authorities.

Modern emphasis on psychology and a focus on individual conscience can lead to questions about personal freedom, the capacity to commit sin, and conflicts with explicit church teaching. Some critics express concern that the system could be exploited, with individuals performing acts of violence or sin and then seeking absolution through confession and penance (Palmer, 1945). Historical critiques of auricular (private) confession raised concerns about the priest's power over the penitent, particularly with vulnerable individuals. Some feared a priest could learn private information and exert undue influence.(Flannery, 2014)

Some argue that the emphasis on private confession and penitential works is rooted in a medieval understanding of sin that was later solidified by the Council of Trent (The Fourteenth Session Catholic Fathers, 1551), and that it does not accurately reflect the practice of the early Church. Some denominations view the Catholic system as an unbiblical practice that keeps individuals in a state of submission to Church legislation rather than pointing to Christ alone for forgiveness. 

Conclusion

The Penance was the role of leading to forgiveness for sins committed after baptism. Its conclusion is a renewal of the spirit, providing grace, spiritual strength, and a renewed capacity for compassion and forgiveness towards others. Ultimately, it is a continuous process of conversion and spiritual healing, offering freedom from sin and a deeper relationship with God. Although Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran Church had different practice on confession, while most Protestants disagree this sacrament.

References:

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994). United States Catholic Conference.

Palmer, P. F. (1945). Jean Morin and the Problem of Private Penance. Theological Studies, 6(3), 317–357. https://doi.org/10.1177/004056394500600301

Staples, T. (2013, March 24) One Mediator Between God and Men. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/one-mediator-between-god-and-men

‌Horn, T. (2024, March 21). God Wants You to Confess Your Sins to a Priest. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/god-chooses-to-uses-human-intermediaries

‌Flannery, T. (2014, October 16). Reconciliation: Penance: Confession: A disappearing Sacrament? - Association Of Catholic Priests. Association of Catholic Priests. https://associationofcatholicpriests.ie/reconciliation-penance-confession-a-disappearing-sacrament/

Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church. (2022, February 8). Confession in the Orthodox Church. https://www.saintjohnchurch.org/sacrament-of-confession-orthodox-church/

‌Rittgers, R. K. (2017, March 29). Penance, Confession, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation in Martin Luther’s Context and Writings.

‌Jordahn, O. (1988). The Practice of Penance in the Lutheran Church. Studia Liturgica, 18(1), 103–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/003932078801800108

‌The Fourteenth Session Catholic Fathers. (1551, November 25). Papal Encyclicals. https://www.papalencyclicals.net/councils/trent/fourteenth-session.htm

Disclaimer 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only.

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