PENANCE 



179 



there are no valid reasons for doubting the dis- 

 position of the penitent. 4 



The validity of absolution in no way depends 

 on the performance of the satisfaction imposed. 5 



Absolution should be given conditionally: 

 a) When the confessor entertains a serious doubt with 

 regard to one of the following points : 



a) Whether there is sufficient matter for the adminis- 

 tration of the Sacrament; 



(3) Whether he has already absolved the penitent; 

 y) Whether he possesses the necessary jurisdiction; 

 8) Whether the penitent has the use of reason; 

 c) Whether the penitent is dead or alive. 



b) When the confessor can arrive at no certain con- 

 clusion with regard to the penitent's disposition, and 

 absolution cannot be deferred, he should absolve con- 

 ditionally. 8 



2. When Absolution Should Be Denied. 

 — The confessor is obliged in justice and under 

 pain of mortal sin to deny absolution to applicants 

 who are not properly disposed, because such are 

 unworthy of forgiveness. 7 



4 Cat. Rom., P. II, c. Si QU- 5o: 

 "Si [confessariusl, audita confes- 

 stone, iudicaverit, neque in enume- 

 randis peccatis diligentiam neque in 

 detestandis dolorem poenitenti 

 omnino defuisse, absolvi poterit." 



5 Prop. Damnat. ab Alex. VIII., 

 Dec. 7, 1690, prop. 16-18 (Den- 

 zinger-Bannwart, n. 1306 sqq.). 



6 Cfr. Linsenmann, Lehrbuch der 

 Moraltheologie, pp. 232 sq. ; G6- 

 pfert, Moraltheologie, Vol. Ill, 4th 

 ed., pp. 241 sqq. 



7 Gury, Comp. Theol. Mor., II, n. 

 469: "Absolutio omnino neganda 

 est in omni casu, etiam extremae 

 necessitatis, poenitentibus certe in- 

 dispositis." — Lacroix, Theol. Mor., 

 1. VI, P. 2, n. 1699: "Munus con- 

 fessarii est absolvere dispositum et 

 non alium. Moraliter ei constare 

 debet de bona dispositione poeniten- 

 tis, alias absolvendo peccabit mortali- 

 ter." 



