Folia Theologica 19. (2008)
Hámori Antal: Human dignity in church Teaching
62 HÁMORI, Antal „The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship." Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation „is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation." Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true „spiritual resurrection," restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God.129 In the sacrament of penance the faithful who confess their sins to a legitimate minister, are sorry for them, and intend to reform themselves obtain from God through the absolution imparted by the same minister forgiveness for the sins they have committed after baptism and, at the same, time are reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by sinning.130 Summing up what has been said: The Church through its teaching significantly protects human dignity, serving salvation, which shall always be the law above all within the Church (CIC, can. 1752).131 129 CCC 1468. Cf. Lk 15:32. 130 CIC, can. 959. 131 See Hámori, Antal, Az emberi méltóság védelme az egyházi jogban I-II., in Magyar Bioetikai Szemle 9 (2003/4) 12-20., 10 (2004/1) 9-18.
