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Sacrament of
Reconciliation
Grant,
Almighty God, that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin
by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ,
may be renewed in your Holy Spirit, and live in righteousness and true
holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also known
as confession or penance. Sacramental confession has been part of
the pastoral practice of our church throughout its history, as noted in
both the Book of Common Prayer's exhortation to communion and the
visitation of the sick. In the 1979 revision of the prayer book,
the rite for reconciliation was included. The emphasis in the
Episcopal Church is pastoral, as noted by the following dictum regarding
confession: "all can, some should, none must."
While it is true that one can be forgiven by
confessing one's sins directly to God, there are times when pastoral
counsel and the assurance of absolution are helpful for the one whose
conscience is troubled. Through the centuries, many Christians have
found the regular practice of making a sacramental confession to be
helpful in their spiritual walk.
The priest is available to hear confessions by
appointment.
The priest can also help you prepare for making
your confession. Some have found the following resources helpful
in the examination of conscience:
The Baptismal Covenant (BCP 304)
The Beatitudes (Matthew 7)
The Ten Commandments
Hear the commandments of God to
his people:
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You shall have no other gods but
me.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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You shall not make for yourself
any idol.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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You shall not invoke with malice
the Name of the Lord your God. Amen. Lord
have mercy.
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Remember the Sabbath Day and keep
it holy.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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Honor your father and your mother.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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You shall not commit murder.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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You shall not commit adultery.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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You shall not steal.
Amen.
Lord have mercy.
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You shall not be a false witness.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
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You shall not covet anything that
belongs to your neighbor. Amen. Lord
have mercy.
Concerning the Rite
The
ministry of reconciliation, which has been committed by Christ
to his Church, is exercised through the care each Christian has
for others, through the common prayer of Christians assembled
for public worship, and through the priesthood of the Church and
its ministers declaring absolution.
The
Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it.
It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be
heard anytime and anywhere.
Two
equivalent forms of service are provided here to meet the needs
of penitents. The absolution in these services may be pronounced
only by a bishop or priest. Another Christian may be asked to
hear a confession, but it must be made clear to the penitent
that absolution will not be pronounced; instead, a declaration
of forgiveness is provided.
When a confession is heard in a church building, the confessor
may sit inside the altar rails or in a place set aside to give
greater privacy, and the penitent kneels nearby. If preferred,
the confessor and penitent may sit face to face for a spiritual
conference leading to absolution or a declaration of
forgiveness.
When the penitent has confessed all serious sins troubling the
conscience and has given evidence of due contrition, the priest
gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and
pronounces absolution. Before giving absolution, the priest may
assign to the penitent a psalm, prayer, or hymn to be said, or
something to be done, as a sign of penitence and act of
thanksgiving.
The
content of a confession is not normally a matter of subsequent
discussion. The secrecy of a
confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under
no circumstances be broken.
From the Book of Common Prayer,
p. 446
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