MAJČINSTVO CRKVE U SAKRAMENTU POKORE I POMIRENJA
THE MOTHERHOOD OF THE CHURCH IN THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

Summary/Abstract: This was a presentation at the Seminar for priests who heard the confessions of pilgrims in Medjugorje, on May 7, 2008. Documents of the Second Vatican Council and subsequent guidelines of Catholic Magisterium call this sacrament a Reconciliation sacrament, which is more consistent with Jesus' teaching and the practice of the early Church. The New Testament foundations for this sacrament are the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:17-19; 18:15-18 and his treatment of the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50; but the key event of forgiveness of sins is baptism, which begins an association with Christ and Church (John 20:22-23; Eph 2:14-18). In recent documents of the Catholic Magisterium, the ecclesial aspect of this sacrament has been pointed out, especially as emphasized by the expression “per ministerium Ecclesiae - through the ministry of the Church” in an absolute formula. Although a valid sacramental absolution can be ministered only by bishops and priests, the entire ecclesial community supports its weak members on their way to conversion and reconciliation. By doing so it implements the maternal role of the Church.

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