The Reconciling Community: The Rite of Penance

by James Dallen

Father Dalen writes about the concrete ways in which the Roman Catholic Church has dealt with sinners in its midst, assisting them to live out the implications of their baptismal conversion and recognizing them once more as members of its assemblies. He studies the underlying mystery of the Church in relation to Christ and the sinner through the forms this sacrament has taken in the past to help illustrate how the Church can exercise the ministry of reconciliation both now and in the future.

467 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable study on the history of penance and confession. This book is filled with analysis of primary sources. It is a heavy read but can give one a through overview of the topic. It manages to stay fairly neutral and gives due consideration to the east as well as the west.