Oct 182008
 

Derivation

  • Latin: absolvere, to free from

Article

The power conferred on the Apostles and their successors to forgive sin – “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them” (John 20:23). It is exercised by the priest in the Sacrament of Penance. It signifies also the remission by the Church of certain censures like suspension or excommunication.

MLA Citation

  • “absolution”. New Catholic Dictionary. Saints.SQPN.com. 11 September 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/absolution/>