V.   Sacraments

Forgiveness is the fifth of the seven (7) Key Sacraments also known as the Keys of Heaven. The Sacrament of Forgiveness is the Key that unlocks the Living Virtue of Compassion. It is present in all fourteen of the Cardinal Sacraments and specifically in the most sacred Apostolic Life Sacrament of Adieu. The Sacrament of Forgiveness may also be granted and conferred on its own in accordance with these Canons and associated approved liturgy.

The purpose of the sacrament of Forgiveness is the most high celebration of Divine Benevolence and Charity in the annulment of all perceived offense, difference or mistake, and any claimed punishment or restitution. The meaning of Forgiveness is derived from two ancient Celtic words for meaning “important, solemn” and géif meaning “give, grant, bestow, commit, devote, entrust”. Hence Forgiveness literally means “an important or solemn gift, grant, devotion, trust”.

The sacrament of Forgiveness comprises the completion of three separate and deliberate Acts in order: Act One being the Act of Charity, Act Two being the Act of Benevolence and Act Three being the Act of Annulment:

(i) The Act of Charity as Act One is the recognition of a genuine need for forgiveness, the good faith of all parties and remorse for any previous fault; and

(ii) The Act of Benevolence as Act Two is the granting of credit and/or good will to off-set previous injury or debt; and

(iii) The Act of Annulment as Act Three is the balancing of any injury or debt against the credit and/or good will so that no obligation needs to be formed and all records are formally expunged.