Sacrament of Penance


  1. Cite the most important biblical reference for the Catholic doctrine concerning the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

  2. True or false. The sins we commit wound not only ourselves and God's honor, but also the spiritual well-being of the Church.

  3. True or false. It is better that the universe be destroyed than that one sin be committed.

  4. True or false. In sacramental confession a man confesses drunkenness on a number of occasions, while having made plans with his buddies to go barhopping and get drunk again this coming weekend. Is he forgiven for these past episodes?

  5. True or false. A repentance motivated by a love of God above all else obtains forgiveness of mortal sin.

  6. True or false. The Church requires both the confession of grave and venial sins.

  7. The purpose of "satisfaction" as an element of the Sacrament is to:
    Choose any combination of the below.

    1. repair the harm done to others by sin.
    2. Satisfy God's vengeance.
    3. repair one's relationship with God.
    4. recover full spiritual health.
    5. elicit perfect contrition through suffering.

  8. Which of the following are true?

    1. Bishops and priests have the power to forgive all sins.
    2. Bishops, as successors to the apostles to whom was given the ministry of reconciliation, have the principal power of reconciliation.
    3. For some sins, priests cannot ordinarily grant absolution.
    4. Serious sins concerning possible grave harm to others can be communicated by the confessor to the proper authorities.
    5. To exercise the power of forgiveness priests need a commission.

  9. The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:
    Choose any combination of the following.

    1. reconciliation with God.
    2. reconciliation with the Church.
    3. at least partial remission of punishment for sins.
    4. an increase of spiritual strength.
    5. peace of conscience and spiritual consolation.

  10. True or false. An indulgence is the right of the Church to declare what is or is not a sin.

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