Chapter I. On the Power of the Minister

How wondrous is the power of the Priest, not only sacrificing at the altar, but also sitting in the tribunal of Penance! Surely there is no more excellent dignity on earth, no more sublime ministry, no degree more eminent than that to which the faculty of forgiving sins is granted. Who is this, who even forgives sins? the unbelieving Jews cried, Luke 7:49. And again: Who can forgive sins but God alone? Luke 5:12. And now man also forgives sins, and indeed by a power proper to him, although divinely received! For the priest does not exercise a bare ministry, as the Council of Trent defined; but he bears the person of Christ Himself when he erects a tribunal and pronounces the sentence of absolution: He has given us the ministry of reconciliation! 2 Cor. 5:18.

537. Three things are required for the adequate power of the Minister of Penance, namely: 1. the power of Order; 2. the power of jurisdiction; 3. approval.

I. The power of Order is required, that is, that which belongs to the Minister by force of ordination and is intrinsically annexed to the priestly character. The reason is that to Priests alone it was said by Christ: Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them. John 20:22. - It is established elsewhere by manifold definition of the Church.

II. The power of jurisdiction is required, that is, the power by which the Priest as judge can render sentence upon certain persons as his subjects. It is established from the Council of Trent, sess. 14, ch. 7.

III. Approval is required for hearing confessions both licitly and validly, or a public judgment concerning the fitness of the Priest for hearing confessions. - Trent, sess. 23, ch. 15, On Reformation.

We must treat: 1. of approval; 2. of jurisdiction; 3. of the reservation of cases.