Absolution facts for kids

The article about the Muse album can be found at Absolution (album)

Absolution is an important idea in some Christian churches. It means being forgiven for things you have done wrong. It's like getting a fresh start after you've admitted your mistakes.

What is Absolution?

Absolution is a special religious act, called a sacrament, in churches like the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. It's a way for people to receive forgiveness for their sins (things they have done wrong). This usually happens after they have talked about their mistakes in a process called confession.

How Does Absolution Work?

In these churches, a priest or minister can give absolution. This means they declare that God has forgiven the person's sins. It is believed that this forgiveness comes from God, through the church and its ministers.

Confession and Forgiveness

Before receiving absolution, a person usually goes through confession. This is when they honestly tell a priest or minister about the wrongs they have done. It's a chance to reflect on their actions and feel sorry for them. After confession, the priest or minister offers guidance and then gives absolution. This act helps people feel peace and a renewed connection with their faith.

Images for kids

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  A depiction of the general absolution given to the Royal Munster Fusiliers by Father Francis Gleeson on the eve of the Battle of Aubers Ridge.

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  Traditional confessional from Sicily.

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  An Evangelical Lutheran confessional in Luther Church (Helsinki, Finland); the Augsburg Confession divides repentance into two parts: "One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors."

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  "Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession an enumeration of all sins is not necessary." —Augsburg Confession, Article 9

See also

In Spanish: Absolución (cristianismo) para niños