The Effect of the Keys

The power of the keys remits the guilt of sins, for grace is given by the sacrament of penance, and grace removes guilt.

The power of the keys, through the priest’sabsolution, takes away the eternal punishment owed to sin in strict justice; the power of the keys also takes away at least part of the temporal punishment due to sins.

The priest exercises the binding power of the keys (the power that keeps the gate locked), when he judges thatabsolution must not be given to the confessing sinner, and therefore refuses to give it. The binding power of the keys is also exercised in the imposing of “a penance” onthe forgiven sinner; for here, while the keys open heaven to the forgiven sinner, they lock him into the obligation of performing a work of satisfaction.

The priest in confession does not exercise the power ofthe keys as he chooses, or according to his personal likes,dislikes, or prejudices. The priest exercises the power of the keys in his office as God’s minister, wielding in the sacrament of penance God’s own authority and power, and hence he acts with care, discretion, and reverence, prudently consulting thesacredness of the sacrament on the one hand, and, on the other, the disposition and the needs of the confessing sinner.