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Skriven 2007-02-20 19:35:34 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

REDISCOVER THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, the Pope received
Cardinal James F. Stafford, major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary,
prelates and officials of that tribunal, and father confessors of Roman
basilicas.

In his address to them, the Pope pointed out how a confessor, "following the
Church's Magisterium with gentle insistence, becomes a minister of the
consoling mercy of God, he emphasizes the reality of sin, and at the same time
reveals the limitless renovating power of divine love, the love that restores
life."

"Experiencing the Lord's tenderness and forgiveness, penitents are more easily
persuaded to recognize the gravity of sin, and more determined to avoid it in
order to remain and grow in a renewed friendship with Him."

The confessor is "an active instrument of divine mercy," said the Holy Father.
"Therefore, he must unite a highly-developed spiritual and pastoral sensitivity
with serious theological, moral and educational training making him capable of
understanding people's life experiences. Furthermore, it is good for him to
know the social, cultural and professional background of those who come to the
confessional, in order to be able to give appropriate advice and spiritual and
practical guidance."

Priests must not forget that in the Sacrament of Penance they are "fathers,
spiritual judges, teachers and educators," said the Pope, adding that "this
calls for constant 'aggiornamento'." In this context, he also mentioned the
advantages of "the courses of the so-called 'internal forum' promoted by the
Apostolic Penitentiary."

"We cannot preach forgiveness and reconciliation to others if we do not
experience these things personally. Although it is true that in our ministry
there are various ways and instruments with which to communicate the merciful
love of God to our brothers and sisters, it is nonetheless in the celebration
of this Sacrament that we can do so in the most complete and exalted manner.
Christ has chosen us, dear priests, to be the only ones with the power to
pardon sins in His name. This then, is a specific ecclesial service to which we
must give priority."

Many people in difficulty "seek the comfort and consolation of Christ," Pope
Benedict concluded. "How many penitents find in confession the peace and joy
they were seeking for so long! How can we not recognize, also in our own time
marked by so many religious and social challenges, that this Sacrament must be
rediscovered and presented anew?"
AC/CONFESSION/APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARYVIS 070219 (410)

SUMMARY

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