During the USCCB's Spring Assembly in 2021, among the many actions approved by the bishops was "a new translation of the Order of Penance."
This translation of the original Latin text was recently confirmed by the Vatican, which included a slightly modified prayer of absolution.
The new prayer of absolution will be officially published in 2023 and can be compared to the previous translation below.
New Translation
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, + and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Previous Translation
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, + and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
The change is very small, and the essential part of the prayer of absolution remains the same.
However, it will require priests in the United States to memorize a new prayer of absolution when they hear confessions in 2023.
