Use of the Power of the Keys

A priest may exercise the power of the keys accordingto the jurisdiction imparted to him by his authentic ecclesiasticalsuperiors, whether the jurisdiction extends to certain places or certain persons or both. Usually a priest is appointed by his bishop to hear the confessions of the faithful in any place in the diocese. Lawfully to exercise this power in another diocese than his own, a priest requires the approval of the authorities in that diocese.

By the power received in his ordination, a priest canabsolve from any sin. But the power of jurisdiction, that is theright to use the power of the keys, is limited by the terms of the priest’s assignment to duty. The bishop or acting ordinary (that is, the authentic ruling head of diocese, vicariate,or other ecclesiastical district) may reserve to himself the right to absolve from certain sins, as, for example, those to which excommunication is attached, or certain heinous evils.

All who have the use of reason in the Church, clergy and laity from highest to lowest, need the grace of the sacrament of penance. All must go to confession and seek absolution. And,since no one can absolve himself, ecclesiastical superiors,including the sovereign pontiff, seek absolution at the hands oftheir priest-subjects. The highest prelate may be absolved by any priest, even the youngest, who is qualified by jurisdiction to hearconfessions.