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Objection 1: It would seem that, outside a case of necessity, no
one but a priest may hear the confession of venial sins. For the
dispensation of a sacrament is committed to a layman by reason of
necessity. But the confession of venial sins is not necessary.
Therefore it is not committed to a layman.
Objection 2: Further, Extreme Unction is ordained against venial
sin, just as Penance is. But the former may not be given by a
layman, as appears from James 5:14. Therefore neither can the
confession of venial sins be made to a layman.
On the contrary, is the authority of Bede (on James 5:16,
"Confess . . . one to another") quoted in the text (Sent. iv,
D, 17).
I answer that, By venial sin man is separated neither from God nor
from the sacraments of the Church: wherefore he does not need to
receive any further grace for the forgiveness of such a sin, nor does
he need to be reconciled to the Church. Consequently a man does not
need to confess his venial sins to a priest. And since confession made
to a layman is a sacramental, although it is not a perfect sacrament,
and since it proceeds from charity, it has a natural aptitude to remit
sins, just as the beating of one's breast, or the sprinkling of holy
water (cf. TP, Question 87, Article 3).
This suffices for the Reply to the First Objection, because there
is no need to receive a sacrament for the forgiveness of venial sins.
and a sacramental, such as holy water or the like, suffices for the
purpose.
Reply to Objection 2: Extreme Unction is not given directly as a
remedy for venial sin, nor is any other sacrament.
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