VIII. The Minister of This Sacrament
1461
Since Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation,65
bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops' collaborators,
continue to exercise this ministry. Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of
the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins "in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
1462
Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church.
Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus
rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and
ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential
discipline.66 Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent
that they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious
superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church.67
1463
Certain
particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty,
which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain
ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted,
according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests
authorized by them.68 In danger of death any priest, even if deprived
of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and
excommunication.69
1464
Priests must encourage the faithful to come to the sacrament of Penance and
must make themselves available to celebrate this sacrament each time Christians
reasonably ask for it.70
1465
When he celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the
ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan
who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him
on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgment is both just
and merciful. the priest is the sign and the instrument of God's merciful love
for the sinner.
1466
The confessor is not the master of God's forgiveness, but its servant. the
minister of this sacrament should unite himself to the intention and charity of
Christ.71 He should have a proven knowledge of Christian behavior,
experience of human affairs, respect and sensitivity toward the one who has
fallen; he must love the truth, be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church,
and lead the penitent with patience toward healing and full maturity. He must
pray and do penance for his penitent, entrusting him to the Lord's mercy.
1467
Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to
persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound
under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that
his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that
confession gives him about penitents' lives.72 This secret, which
admits of no exceptions, is called the "sacramental seal," because
what the penitent has made known to the priest remains "sealed" by
the sacrament.
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