Chapter — Marc, Institutiones Morales
Chapter I: On The Power Of The Minister
- The minister of the Sacrament of Penance is only a PRIEST having JURISDICTION over the penitent. - Hence a twofold power is required in him:
The power of ORDER, or that which is conferred in the very Ordination, and which essentially inheres in the sacerdotal character. But the reason why this power is required is that it was said to priests alone: "Receive the Holy Spirit: whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them" (John 20:22, 23). - You will see more among the Dogmatic authors.
The power of JURISDICTION, or that which, superadded to the power of Order and completing it, renders the priest expedient, so that, as judge, he can pronounce a legitimate sentence upon the penitent as a subject. - Moreover, to obtain or freely exercise jurisdiction, according to the present discipline of the Church, approbation is prerequired. But jurisdiction itself, just as it does not belong to all by the same title, so neither does it belong to all in the same fullness, since it can be circumscribed by diverse limitations.
Therefore, so that all things which pertain to the present matter may be treated, we shall discuss: 1. approbation and jurisdiction; 2. the acquisition and loss of jurisdiction; 3. the limitation of jurisdiction as regards persons; and 4. the limitation of jurisdiction as regards sins.