Editing Absolution (section)

==Reformed Churches==
In the [[Calvinism|Reformed]] tradition (which includes the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregationalist denominations), corporate confession is the normative way that confession and absolution is practiced.<ref name="GRPC2024"/> The Order of Worship in the [[Bible Presbyterian Church]], for example, enjoins the following:<ref name="GRPC2024"/>
{{quotation|Each Sunday we have a corporate confession of sins with an announcement of assurance of pardon from sin—this is great news for all believers. We strive to use the form of confession sincerely, to acknowledging our brokenness—in thought, word, and deed—and to receive God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ in thankfulness.<ref name="GRPC2024"/>}}
With regard to private confession and absolution, the founders of the [[Calvinism|Reformed]] tradition (Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregationalist) attacked the penitential practice of the Catholic Church and differed in their teaching on the subject. The opinions expressed by some Calvinist reformers in their later theological works do not differ as markedly from the old position.<ref name="Catholic"/> [[Huldrych Zwingli]] held that God alone pardoned sin, and he saw nothing but idolatry in the practice of hoping for pardon from a mere creature. If confession to a pastor "had aught of good", (had any good) it was merely as direction.<ref name="Catholic"/> He saw no value in the private confession of sins to a pastor, and no measure of sacramentality in the practice of confession. [[John Calvin]] denied all idea of sacramentality when there was question of Penance.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} The [[Helvetic Confessions|Second Helvetic Confession]] (1566) denies the necessity of confession to a priest, but holds that the power granted by Christ to absolve is simply the power to preach to the people the Gospel of Jesus, and as a consequence the remission of sins: "{{lang|la|Rite itaque et efficaciter ministri absolvunt dum evangelium Christi et in hoc remissionem peccatorum prædicant.}}" (Therefore, and effectively, the ministers, while the Gospel of Christ and in this remission of sins). (Second Helvetic Confession 14.4–6)<ref name="Catholic">{{Catholic|wstitle=Absolution|inline=1}}</ref>