Absolution and Restitution

[Ziggamafu]

Is restitution a matter of grave obligation in personal offenses? Like, if you screwed over someone at work or a stranger or something (whether it was a little thing like gossip or a big thing like slander or scandal) and went to Confession about it, would your assigned penance (say, five Our Fathers) be the only restitution required to be in a state of grace? Or would deliberate refusal of any further, more direct restitution be of itself grave matter?

I guess the question boils down to this: Does absolution remove all attatchment and responsability to your sins or is it merely the first step in a process of ammendment? Does the "firm purpose of ammendment" required in a valid Confession only imply the willingness actually confess and do the assigned penance or does it stretch farther?

[cappie]

Repentance always involves some change in values, and a willingness to leave behind values and attitudes that may be inconsistent with living in a relationship with God. There are also times when restitution may be necessary.

We are all imperfect and fallen human beings, even if forgiven, and none of us can completely undo all the wrongs and hurts we have done to others, intentionally or otherwise. However, if we are to enjoy a relationship with God, we must be open to things he may put his finger on that need attention. That is evidence that our repentance is real.

Absolution forgives sin. Restitution makes up for the harm we do. It comes with repentance.

This example comes from the Catechism:

2412 In virtue of commutative justice, reparation for injustice committed requires the restitution of stolen goods to their owner:

Jesus blesses Zacchaeus for his pledge: "If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." Those who, directly or indirectly, have taken possession of the goods of another, are obliged to make restitution of them, or to return the equivalent in kind or in money, if the goods have disappeared, as well as the profit or advantages their owner would have legitimately obtained from them. Likewise, all who in some manner have taken part in a theft or who have knowingly benefited from it - for example, those who ordered it, assisted in it, or received the stolen goods - are obliged to make restitution in proportion to their responsibility and to their share of what was stolen.

Maybe someone else has some ideas

Edited May 6, 2006 by cappie