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Period: 200 to
Reconcilliation
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250
250C.E. Onwards
About 250 C.E. the church resolved that every sin was forgivable as long as the person repented. Canonical Penance was introduced, whereby the person had to publicly confess the sin, enrol in an Order of Penitents, followed by a period doing penance (wearing sackcloth and ashes) and readmission to the Eucharist by the Bishop (usually on Holy Thursday). -
250
250C.E.
The process of Canonical Penance could only happen once; no more chances after that! The process was necessary for only three types of sin: giving up the faith, committing murder and breaking the marriage vow. Excommunication could be reversed only through the Canonical Penance. -
Oct 22, 1000
400-1000C.E.
During this period, the Irish Monks came up with an alternative to the Canonical Penance. It was known as Private Penance. Monks confessed their faults to the Abbot who would then give them spiritual guidance. It was a private act and repeatable. However, the penances were very strict and lasted for a long time. The practice spread to Europe by the 7th century. Penitential Books listed sins and the corresponding penalty for each. -
Oct 22, 1000
400-1000C.E
Penance could be given many times in a lifetime. Questions arose about whether penance should be public or private. The focus was strongly on healing the person’s relationship with God and with their community. -
Oct 22, 1000
1000CE
During this period the Irish Penance (Private Penance) became popular but for a time both forms (public and private) were used. However the detailed confession of one’s sins and the performance of complex, often severe, penances led to the general disuse of reconciliation. Penance was simply postponed until one’s deathbed! Theologians in the Middle Ages began comparing penance to a “heavenly courtroom” using terms like crime, judgement, sentence and punishment. -
Oct 22, 1000
1000CE
There was a shift in emphasis from repentance and conversion to absolution. In the 13th century, Penance was listed as the fourth of seven sacraments. The Council of Trent declared that penance take the form of confession to a priest with absolution. In 1614, it became mandatory to have a screened partition between priest and penitent. Priests faced excommunication if they disclosed anything told to them in Confession. -
1900CE
Three Rites of Reconciliation were promulgated: First Rite for individuals wishing to confess sins privately. Second Rite for a group of people for a communal celebration, but with private confession Third Rite for communal celebration and general confession.