Roman Catholic Justification
Roman Catholic doctrine views justification as a complex process involving both the remission of sins and the sanctification or renewal of the individual. Rome emphasizes justification as an infusion of grace that transforms the sinner, rather than a declarative act of God. According to Roman Catholic theology, justification begins with the sacrament of baptism, which infuses grace into the soul. This grace must be cooperated with to lead to actual righteousness.
The Council of Trent affirmed that justification is not merely the remission of sins but also includes the sanctification and renewal of the inner person. This view sees justification as a process rather than a single event, making it possible to lose justifying grace through mortal sin.
The Roman Catholic Church provides the sacrament of penance as a remedy for those who have lost their justification. This understanding of justification is closely tied to the Roman Catholic sacramental system and emphasizes the role of good works and obedience in maintaining one's justified state.
