Absolution

[TomUK]

As part of a standard Anglican liturgical service, the Priest says the following words, or words to this affect
Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I don't deny that scripture gives the Priest the authority to make a such a prayer. However, i was wondering, do you think that the priest should only offer absolution of sins when in a state of confession for example, or at least in a one on one situation. It's just something i feel has perhaps become a standard part of the liturgy, but perhaps it is something that shouldn't be said in front of the congregation as a whole- or, to put it another way (and said with all respect) should it be something reserved for the bapised members of the congregation?

If what i've said doesn't make sense then say and i'll try and re-word it.

Thanks, Tom

[PaladinValer]

No, because in the prayer of confession, the participant should be thinking of the vices or sins s/he knows s/he committed and should be open to the probably fact that s/he forgot some. Since the confession is to the priest, each other, and to God, and God has given those who've received the grace of Holy Order to forgive others of sin, I see no reason it cannot be done. We are commanded to confess to one another anyhow in the Bible! ;)

However, I agree that a person, if s/he feels s/he need one-on-one support, should go to a priest and have a private confession. I personally would love to do this.

[Polycarp1]

And clearly God's grace is at work in the heart of someone attending the service who has not yet been baptized.

An absolution is not an automatic pardon -- it's the Priest's declaration of God's forgiveness of repented sin, done in accordance with the faculties he received in ordination and the command of Christ to bestow (or withhold) His forgiveness.

The old 1662 absolution, now used in America only at the Ash Wednesday service, may help clarify matters:


Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn from their wickedness and live, has given power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and absolves all those who truly repent, and with sincere hearts believe his holy Gospel.

Therefore we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.