"The Church does not profess its belief in sin, but in the forgiveness of sin – so much so that none discover themselves to be sinners unless they discover themselves to be pardoned sinners. The grace of forgiveness always offered is what reveals sin, just as the prodigal son discovered the true dimension of his sin in the arms of his father… The final authority for judging sin is not our consciences, as necessary as these may be – 'I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted' (1 Cor 4:4) – but the word of grace and mercy offered in Jesus. Sin is finally revealed only as taken away. Thus the 'examination of conscience' becomes a confession of praise at the same time it is a confession of sin to God."
(Louis-Marie Chauvet, Symbol and Sacrament, p. 433)
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