Absoulution

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

is penance nessecary for absultion?

if we do not carry put our penance are we not forgiven?

Dominus Vobiscum,

sam

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
9/10 - Twenty-third Saturday

Sam,

No, penance need not be assigned for absolution to take effect. Though the Rite of Penance calls for the confessor to assign penance, sometimes they don't (perhaps they forget, &c.). Whether one performs his penance is irrelevant to the sacrament taking effect. If one forgets to perform his penance, then there isn't a problem. If one deliberately keeps from performing the assigned penance out of laziness, then he needs to mention that in his next confession. If one deliberately keeps from performing the assigned penance due to inability (i.e., a foot pilgrimage to Jerusalem from Rome), then no sin is incurred - we can't be expected to do that which is impossible for us (cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, et al.). Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono