We must now consider the minister of confession.

Under this head there are seven points of inquiry:

(1) Whether it is necessary to confess to a priest?

• (2) Whether it is ever lawful to confess to another than a priest?
• (3) Whether outside a case of necessity one who is not a priest can hear the confession of venial sins?
• (4) Whether it is necessary for a man to confess to his own priest?
• (5) Whether it is lawful for anyone to confess to another than his own priest, in virtue of a privilege or of the command of a superior?
• (6) Whether a penitent in danger of death can be absolved by any priest?
• (7) Whether the temporal punishment should be enjoined in proportion to the sin?