Apostolic Penitentiary

The Apostolic Penitentiary, more formally the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of three bodies in the Roman Curia that make up the judiciary within the Holy See. The Apostolic Penitentiary is responsible for ruling on issues relating to the recognition of forgiveness of sins in the Roman Catholic Church.

Related Topics:
Roman Curia - Judiciary - Holy See - Sin - Roman Catholic Church

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The work of the Apostolic Penitentiary falls into two categories:

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• resolution of disputes between a confessor (priest) and a penitent, and
• issuance and governance of indulgences.

The head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Major Penitentiary, is one of the few Vatican officials who retains his position during a period of Sede vacante. The Major Penitentiary is a titular archbishop, and is often a cardinal. The current Major Penitentiary is James Francis Cardinal Stafford.

Related Topics:
Major Penitentiary - Sede vacante - Titular archbishop - Cardinal - Current - James Francis Cardinal Stafford

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Apostolic Penitentiary: Confessor-penitent disputes ►