What does the Catechism of the Church say about Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is addressed in a particular way in paragraph 10 (Heaven and Earth) of Article 1 of the second section (The Profession of the Christian Faith, The Symbols of Faith) of the first part of the Catechism, numbers 988 to 1019.

Discover the main questions and answers around forgiveness from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. At the end of this reading, we invite you to discover other great questions of faith.

One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins

A single baptism for the forgiveness of sins is covered in numbers 977 to 980 of the Catechism.

We can in particular recall that:

“Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that “we too might walk in newness of life.”(No. 977).

“When we made our first profession of faith while receiving the holy Baptism that cleansed us, the forgiveness we received then was so full and complete that there remained in us absolutely nothing left to efface, neither original sin nor offenses committed by our own will, nor was there left any penalty to suffer in order to expiate them. . . . Yet the grace of Baptism delivers no one from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil” (No. 978) The importance of the Church being able to “forgive all penitents their offenses, even if they should sin until the last moment of their lives.” (No. 979)

“It is through the Sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church.” Moreover, this sacrament “necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn.” (No. 980)

There is no fault that the Church cannot remit

Number 982 says: “There is no fault, no matter how grave, that Holy Church cannot forgive.” “There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest" (Catech. R. 1, 11, 5). The Christ who died for all men, wishes that, in his Church, the doors of forgiveness be always open to anyone who returns from sin (see Matthew 18:21 -22). (No. 982). However, sin (or blasphemy) against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven:
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (No. 1864).

The Church, the sign and instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation, in particular through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Church is the sign and instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation, especially through the sacrament of reconciliation, as number 1442 tells us: “Christ has willed that in her prayer and life and action his whole Church should be the sign and instrument of the forgiveness and reconciliation that he acquired for us at the price of his blood. But he entrusted the exercise of the power of absolution to the apostolic ministry which he charged with the “ministry of reconciliation.” The apostle is sent out “on behalf of Christ” with “God making his appeal” through him and pleading: “Be reconciled to God.” (No. 1442).

Forgiveness, sincere repentance

Number 982 of the Catechism tells us: “There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest” (No. 982).

Forgiveness, the summit of Christian prayer

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who have trespassed against us”, is the fifth request of the  Our Father prayer.

“The fifth petition begs God's mercy for our offenses, mercy which can penetrate our hearts only if we have learned to forgive our enemies, with the example and help of Christ.” (No. 2862)

“Christian prayer extends to the forgiveness of enemies, transfiguring the disciple by configuring him to his Master. Forgiveness is a high point of Christian prayer; only hearts attuned to God's compassion can receive the gift of prayer. Forgiveness also bears witness that, in our world, love is stronger than sin. The martyrs of yesterday and today bear this witness to Jesus. Forgiveness is the fundamental condition of the reconciliation of the children of God with their Father and of men with one another.” (No. 2844).

With Hozana, let us pray to further develop forgiveness in our lives!

With Hozana, let us pray to further develop forgiveness in our lives, to be able to forgive all those who have offended us, and to be able to attend more and more the sacrament of reconciliation to ask for God's forgiveness when we “miss the mark.” Hozana wants you to taste the mercy of God, through different communities, such as this community to pray and praise Divine Mercy, or this one to ask for Mercy for souls in purgatory.