Reconcilliation

Reconciliation means to make something whole again. Through sin (doing something known to be wrong) a person is separated from God and needs to be forgiven. Baptism frees people from Original Sin which is understood in terms of the first disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden which destroyed the perfection of creation, including humankinds place within it. Baptism frees a person from the guilt of Original Sin but not the effects and so humans continue to have a desire to disobey God. It is these freely chosen wrongdoings that are forgiven during the Sacrament of reconciliation.

Catholics are not expected to be perfect because the Church teaches that it is normal to want to sin, this is called concupiscence. The Church teaches that God is love and forgiveness and that if a person is truly sorry for their sins then they can be reconciled with God.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

This sacrament is also commonly known as confession and the confession of sins to a priest is normally a major part of the reconciliation. The sacrament is usually given to an individual but reconciliation services where large groups of people receive forgiveness without a personal confession of sins are also available although discouraged by some bishops because of a fear that true sorrow for sins is not present. This form of the sacrament is known as general absolution. General absolution can be given where there is a spiritual need such as a lack of priests to hear individual confessions or even in youth services where shame and sorrow for sins exists but is so strong that the sacrament of reconciliation is avoided.

Individual reconciliation takes place in private with a priest. The penitent is either hidden behind a screen or now more usually sits opposite the priest. The penitent is welcomed and the priest tries to form an atmosphere of acceptance and openness. A reading from scripture about the forgiving nature of God is read and this helps the penitent realise that God will forgive them. The person will then give a full confession of all their sins, the priest will help them confess fully by not being judgemental. The penitent also knows that whatever they tell the priest will be kept absolutely secret no matter what, this is called the 'seal of the confessional'. The seal encourages people to seek forgiveness and to be honest in their confession. The priest may also offer advice to the penitent to help them overcome a problem or to lead a better life. The priest will then give a penance which can be a sacrifice, a prayer or a service to others. Next the priest will raise his hand and say "I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This is the moment of forgiveness. Finally the newly forgiven person makes a prayer of thanks and is told to "go in peace" by the priest.

Catholics should intend to change their lives for the better and not sin again. The ceremony allows Catholics to make a formal break with their past and to start again without guilt.

The ceremony can be summarised into four themes:

1. contrition (feeling bad about your sins)
2. confession (owning up to your sins)
3. absolution (receiving forgiveness)
4. satisfaction (feeling relief and a new sense of beginning)

Some Catholics regularly attend the sacrament of reconciliation, other Catholics hardly go if ever. Because God is all forgiving some people do not see a reason to receive the sacrament since if they are sorry they are already forgiven. Other people feel that the human contact between penitent and priest encourages a healthy, honest and open attitude towards sin. Being a Catholic is not only personal it also means being part of the Church and so it is through the Church that forgiveness is achieved.

Effects Of the Sacrament

Sin and guilt separate a person from God. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation a person is able to forgive themself and feel that they are back to a good relationship with God. The parable of Forgiving Father shows that God is already waiting for the sinner to return and in fact, runs to greet his son while he was still a long way off. It just takes the person's realisation to accept that mercy and love.

The sacrament also allows the opportunity for the penitent to receive advice from the priest on how to live a better life in the future. In order for true forgiveness to take place the penitent must be truly sorry for their sins and intend not to sin again. The forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of the person's committment to live a good life has a powerful influence on their behaviour. If a person feels that they have nothing to lose then they are likely to continue doing wrong but if they know that they have been given another chance and that is accompanied by true sorrow then they will be likely to change the way they live. This is called repentance.