Folia Theologica et Canonica 11. 33/25 (2022)

Ius canonicum

156

SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.Praem.

Decretum Gratiani (D. 6 c. 1 de paen.)56 and in the Liber Extra (X 5.38.12)57. It should be noted that the same arguments can also be found in the classic work of Arthur Vermeersch and Joseph Creusen.58 The Corpus iuris canonici, in the Liber Extra (1234)59, in the Clementinae (1317)60, and in the Extravagantes Communes (1500/1503)61, speaks about the question of penitence and the forgiveness of sins in a separate title. The very first canon of the list makes it clear that statements which are expressed during the administration of the sacrament of penance belong to the internal forum, as we have already underlined, and are under full canonical protection.62 The just judgment of the gravity of sin, confronting the penitent with the judgment of Christ, thus brings about, by means of the exercise of mercy, the spiritual goals which result in the moral conversion of the believer and the fruits of the restoration of a pious life, as stated in X 5.38.14.63 The Clementinae also derives from the mercy of Jesus Christ the judgement of any sin [peccatum) or crime [delictum)6*, which is pronounced in an internal forum, and then explains in detail the duties of the penitent and the confessor.65 As Pope Clement VI (1342-1352) expressly pointed out, the penance imposed on sinful man, thanks to God’s wisdom, justice, sanctification and redemption, enables the person strengthened by the penance imposed to be reconciled by conversion from sin to God through the ministry of the Church.66

It is also worth comparing the canons of the Corpus iuris canonici with the statement of the 14th Session of the Council of Trent.67 This makes it clear that reconciliation through confession, thanks to the gift of God’s grace [donatio) and compassion [dementia) through the ministry of the Church, gives the people capacity [capacitas) to abstain from sin [peccatum), to be more attentive to the fulfilment of penance [vigilantia) and to heal those wounds which sin has caused in the soul - the lasting effects of sin - and bad inclinations [vitium). For this reason, the confessor must be careful to preserve a healing spirit during the administration of the sacrament and to administer the most appropriate penance, taking into account the sin, the individual capacities and

56 Friedberg I. 1242-1244.

57 Friedberg II. 887-888.

58 Vermeersch, A. - Creusen, J., Epitome iuris canonici cum commentariis ad scholas et ad usum privatum, II. Brugis-Bruxelles 1925.2 95-96.

59 Friedberg II. 884—889.

60 Friedberg II. 1190-1191.

61 Friedberg II. 1303-1309.

62 X 5. 38. 1: Friedberg II. 884.

63 X 5.38.14: Friedberg II. 888-889.

64 Clem. 5. 9. 1: Friedberg II. 1190.

65 Clem. 5. 9. 2: Friedberg II. 1190-1191.

66 Extrav. Com. 5.9.2: Friedberg II. 1304-1306.

67 Conc. Tridentinum (1545-1563), Sessio XIV (25 nov. 1551), Doctrina de sanctissimis poenitentiae et extremae unctionis sacramentis, Cap. VIII: 708-709.