Chapter I. On the Required Power

In the minister of Penance a twofold power is required, namely the power of order and the power of jurisdiction (can. 872). That the power of order is required follows from the fact that, as was proved above, the priest alone is the minister of this sacrament. The power of jurisdiction, that is, sacramental jurisdiction, must be treated more fully: first, sacramental jurisdiction generally; then jurisdiction over some classes of persons specifically; finally, the limitation of jurisdiction with respect to sins, or the reservation of sins.