Folia Theologica et Canonica 11. 33/25 (2022)
Ius canonicum
136 GORAN JOVICIC The development of the penitential practice in the West (Latin Church) can be divided into two main periods: the first, up to the sixth century, is characterized by the canonical penance, which is considered permissible once only and cannot be repeated; and the second period, from the seventh century onwards, where the official organization of penance not only develops towards a more private conception, but also can be repeated.53 St. Augustine describes various forms of penance in the early Church: the first type, which is done before the baptism: “Repent and be baptized” (at his day it was customary to baptize adults); the second type of penance, which is done for every day venial sins (Confiteor) at the beginning of the daily Mass; and the third, canonical public penance, which must be performed for grave sins against the Decalogue; these are the three essential canonical elements (confession, excommunication and satisfaction) which must be performed by the penitent in union with the Church to obtain God’s forgiveness.54 55 1. The Public Penance (Exomologesis, Paenitentia Secunda) The Greek term exomologesis55 came to designate the penitential system of the Early Church, called by Augustine as “canonical penance”, which have been in full observance between the second and fifth centuries.56 According Tertullian the exomologesis or, in Latin, confession, has two different meanings: first, confession of sins before the priest; second, an accompanying “discipline for man’s prostration and humiliation,57 the outward procedure of penance,58 which comprises: (1) sackcloth, (2) fasting, (3) lamentation, (4) prostration before the priests, and (5) kneeling before the faithful59 in order “to discharge the external penalties.”60 Because of different meanings of exomologesis,61 it is sometime difficult to determine which meaning is primarily intended in a given patristic passage. 53 See Anciaux, R, The Sacrament of Penance, New York 1962. 47. 54 See Riga, P., Sin and Penance, 92-97. 55 The word “exomologesis” is used in the Holy Scripture and Church’ Fathers to designate a number of different religious obligations or observances. There are four principal meanings: 1. To give praise to God; 2. To confess sins to God; 3. To confess sins to men; 4. To do public penance for sin. (See William, R, Le Saint, Tertulian. Treatises on Penance [Ancient Christian Writers], Introduction, 171, note 151. London 1959). 56 See Eberhardt, N. C., A Summary of Catholic History. Ancient and Medieval History, I. 106. 57 Tertulian, De Paenitentia, 9:3. 58 As described in De Paenitentia, Chapt. 9-10. 59 See Watkins, O., A History of Penance Beeing a Study of Authorities, I. 470. 60 Cf.Ibid. 115-116. 61 (2) To confess sins to God; (3) To confess sins to men; (4) To do public penance for sin. Cf. William, P. Le Saint, Tertullian. Treatises on Penance, Introduction, 171, note 151.
