Concept Detail

Reparation

glossary_term

Making amends for a wrong done or for an offense, especially for sin, which is an offense against God. By his death on the cross, the Son of God offered his life out of love for the Father to make reparation for our sinful disobedience (614). We are obliged to make reparation for personal sins against justice and truth, either through restitution of stolen goods or correcting the harm done to the other's good name. (2412, 2487). See Satisfaction (for sin)

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Catechism Passages

Passages ranked by relevance to Reparation, from most closely related outward.

§614 CHAPTER TWO I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD

This sacrifice of Christ is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices. 441 First, it is a gift from God the Father himself, for the Father handed his Son over to sinners in order to reconcile us with himself. At the same time it is the offering of the Son of God made man, who in freedom and love offered his life to his Father through the Holy Spirit in Reparation for our disobedience. 442

§2412 CHAPTER TWO YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF

In virtue of commutative justice, Reparation for injustice committed requires the restitution of stolen goods to their owner:

§2487 CHAPTER TWO YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF

Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of Reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another's reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience.

Catechism of the Catholic Church © Libreria Editrice Vaticana