Absolution

In Civil Law. A sentence win rehy a party accused is declared innocent of the crime laid to his charge. In Canon Law. A juridical act wherehy the clergy declare that the sins of such as me penitent are remitted. The formula of ahsolution in the Roman Church is absolute; in the Greek Church it is deprecatory; in the Reformed Churches, declaratory. Among Protestants it is chiefly used for a sentence by which a person who stands excommunicated is released or freed from that punishment. Encyc. Brit. In French Law. The dismissal of an accusation. 'I'll- term acquitment is employed when the accusal is declared not guilty, and absolution when he is recognized as guilty but the act is not punishable by law or he Is exonerated by some defect of int ntion or will. Merlin, Report.