Absolution in a liturgical church refers to the pronouncement of God's forgiveness of sins.

Roman Catholic Church

Absoultion is an integral part of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. The penitent makes a sacramental confession of all mortal sins to a priest and prays an Act of Contrition. The priest then assigns a penance and offers absolution in the name of the Trinity, on behalf of the Church: In criminal proceedings, a confession is a document in which a suspect admits having committed a crime. ... According to Catholicism, a mortal sin, unlike a venial sin, must meet all of the following conditions: subject must be ‘grave matter’; it must be committed with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity of the offense; it must be committed with deliberate and complete consent. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... The Act of Contrition is a prayer recited by the penitent during the Latin Rite Roman Catholic sacrament of Confession. ... Penance is the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (formerly called Confession). ... This article concerns the Holy Trinity of Christianity and related religious denominations. ... The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian body with over 1. ...

"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Absolution forgives the guilt associated with the penitent's sins, and removes the eternal punishment (Hell) associated with mortal sins. The penitent is still responsible for the temporal punishment (Purgatory) associated with the confessed sins, unless an indulgence is applied. Guilt is a concept used in various ways in various contexts. ... Medieval illustration of the Mouth of Hell Hell is a place of torment and pain. ... According to Catholicism, a mortal sin, unlike a venial sin, must meet all of the following conditions: subject must be ‘grave matter’; it must be committed with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity of the offense; it must be committed with deliberate and complete consent. ... In Roman Catholic theology, Purgatory is a process of purification after the particular judgment and before entry into Heaven. ... In the theology of Roman Catholicism, an indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to God for a Christians sins. ...

General absolution, where all eligible Catholics in a given area are granted absolution for unconfessed sins, is only granted in extreme emergencies where there is immediate danger of death. Anyone receiving general absolution who survives the emergency is required to make a full sacramental confession and receive regular absolution as soon as possible after the emergency. Only the diocesan bishop may allow general absolution. A contemporary example of general absolution was the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, where general absolution was granted to all Catholics endangered by the incident. A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station consists of two nuclear reactors each with its own containment building and cooling towers. ...

Episcopal Church

In the Episcopal Church, this action is done after the General Confession during the Eucharist or during a Daily Rite. When possible a priest or bishop makes this pronouncement. When a layperson or deacon makes this pronouncement, the formula is changed. Where a priest could say "forgive you" a deacon or layperson would say "forgive us". The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the nations capital is the national cathedral of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. ... The Eucharist is either the celebration of the Christian sacrament commemorating Christ’s Last Supper, or the consecrated bread and wine of this sacrament. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... In religious organizations , the laity comprises all lay persons, i. ... Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ...

An Absolution will also be pronounced after the Sacrament of the Reconciliation of a Penitent by the priest hearing the confession. A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace. ... In criminal proceedings, a confession is a document in which a suspect admits having committed a crime. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ...

Often, physical actions accompany an Absolution. A priest or bishop may make the sign of the cross in front of him/her, facing the congregation. Those receiving the Absolution may in addition make the sign of the cross across their chests. The Sign of the Cross is a ritual performed mainly within Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, as well as Eastern-Rite Catholicism and Anglicanism. ... A congregation is a group of people gathered together. ...

References

• John N. Wall. A Dictionary for Episcopalians. Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 2000.