Redeeming qualities

There was a profound division in the church during the third-century pontificate of Callistus I. The pope believed and taught that even the most serious sins like murder and adultery could be absolved in a sincere confession. His position scandalized many church leaders in Rome who didn’t agree. They believed that some sins were too serious to be forgiven, and they accused Callistus of laxity and sympathizing with heretics. Eventually Callistus prevailed and Confession became the healing sacrament for all sin, even the most serious. Thank our merciful God for guiding the church toward an ethic of redemption. MEMORIAL OF CALLISTUS I, POPE, MARTYR