ST Suppl., q. 18
Of the Effect of the Keys
Supplement — compiled posthumously from Aquinas's early Sentences commentary
We must now consider the effect of the keys under which head there are four points of inquiry:
(1) Whether the power of the keys extends to the remission of guilt?
(2) Whether a priest can remit sin as to the punishment?
(3) Whether a priest can bind in virtue of the power of the keys?
(4) Whether he can loose and bind according to his own judgment?
Articles
- a. 1Whether the power of the keys extends to the remission of guilt? [*St. Thomas here follows the opinion of Peter Lombard, and replies in the negative. Later in life he altered his opinion. Cf. TP, Q[62], A[1]; TP, Q[64], A[1]; TP, Q[86], A[6]]
- a. 2Whether a priest can remit sin as to the punishment?
- a. 3Whether the priest can bind through the power of the keys?
- a. 4Whether the priest can bind and loose according to his own judgment?