Célébrer la pénitence, ou la réconciliation ? Essai de discernement théologique à propos du nouveau Rituel

The pastoral dijficulties concerning the sacrament of reconciliation are founded on theological causes, especially the présence of two conceptions in the new ritual : a vision of human reconciliation, which occurs in real life, and a theology of sacramental absolution. The latter notion demands the restriction of célébrations of gênerai absolution, which are nonetheless proposed by the ritual in the perspective of reconciliation. The solution is to be found by taking into considération three types of penance which the Church has known. In light of this history, the theology of the sacrament of reconciliation consists in the search for another equilibrium among the différent "parts" of the sacrament and in the modification of the function of the confession : contrition is not only required at the moment of the confession but must take form in real reconciliations, which are in a certain manner the visible aspect of the sacrament and which manifest the pardon of God, who is at the origin of the process. This theological proposition allows a more correct under standing ofsome recurring difficulties and contributes to a rediscovery of the hope called forth by God and the force of his pardon.De Clerck Paul. Célébrer la pénitence, ou la réconciliation ? Essai de discernement théologique à propos du nouveau Rituel. In: Revue théologique de Louvain, 13ᵉ année, fasc. 4, 1982. pp. 387-424