Chapter III: Concerning the Use of the Confessor's Power

The formal use of the confessor's power consists in remitting sins or retaining them. He remits sins by pronouncing the sentence of absolution; this, in the sacrament, has itself after the manner of form. For while the penitent places the matter by contrition, confession, and satisfaction, the priest, joining the words of absolution to these, perfects the sacrament.

Hence we shall speak:

1. concerning the essence of the form of absolution,

2. concerning the signification of the form,

3. concerning the requisites for the validity and liceity of the form of absolution.