| |
| | CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: The Sacrament of Penance |
 | | The distinction between sins that could be forgiven and others that could not, originated in the latter half of the second century as the doctrine of the Montanists (q.v.), and especially of Tertullian. |
 | | While still a Catholic, Tertullian wrote (A.D. 200-6) his "De poenitentia" in which he distinguishes two kinds of penance, one as a preparation for baptism, the other to obtain forgiveness of certain grievous sins committed after baptism, i.e., apostasy, murder, and adultery. |
 | | haer.", I, xiii, 7, in P.G., VII, 591). |
| www.newadvent.org /cathen/11618c.htm (15700 words) |
|