Absolution takes away the guilt, but not the responsibility.

Truth-telling leads to remorse, the need of all parties to rebuild trust through penance(even if it appears that the only one hurt is oneself -one needs to rebuild self-trust)Reconcilliation is a process.

Absolution by a priest (or whatever)is usually unnecessary, since it implies that there is something outside ourselves that can give or withhold this, when (IMHO) there is not. It is in our own nature to behave in ways that are not always good for us or those around us. It is also in our nature to want to be comfortable with ourselves and those around us.

Often the permission we seek to forgive ourselves is within us, not "out there" separate from us. Absolution just "is". It isn't "given" or "received", it just "is".

I'm not sure I'm saying this very well, I've never tried to put it into words before..

Anybody read the Bro. Cadfael series?

~ Jande