Un approccio teologico-morale al sacramento della penitenza

Abstract

The sacrament of Penance has been mainly studied in a theologically systematic and canonistic perspective with particular reference to the teachings of the Council of Trent and the successive clarifications regarding its ecclesiological implications. More recently the theme has been of interest to liturgical studies, highlighting the need for the sacrament to be understood in its ritual aspects. Until now moral theology has been involved almost exclusively regarding the theme and definition of sin in its anthropological and theological qualities. Instead the moral significance of the act of confession has been studied little as an act of the believer who is freed from his sin by declaring it before God and the Church. The present study would like to solicit a deeper study of this theme, underlining the implications already present in the magisterial teaching of the Church.