Sacrament Of Penance (Catholic Church)
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (commonly called Confession, Reconciliation or Penance) is one of seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and sacred mysteries of Eastern Christianity, in which the faithful obtain divine mercy for the sins committed against God and neighbour and are reconciled with the community of the Church (Cf. Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 11 ยง2; CCC 1422). By this sacrament Christians are freed from sins committed after Baptism. Since the Reformation there has been long-running disagreement between the Catholic Church and Protestantism over this sacrament, including the church's authority to absolve sins. The sacrament of penance is considered the normal way to be absolved from mortal sins which, it is believed, would otherwise condemn a person to Hell.
Read more about Sacrament Of Penance (Catholic Church): Elements of The Sacrament, History, Minister of The Sacrament, Rite of The Sacrament, Frequency of Reception, Seal of Confession, Eastern Catholicism, See Also
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