Are penances too light?

[markomalley]

Those were excellent posts, Mark. It really pierces straight into my soul, and makes me think if I have ever made satisfaction for the temporal affects of my sins. With that said, maybe I can get your opinion. With this murderer,the only satisfaction possible for those wronged is to turn himself in. Am I wrong?

Not really, because turning himself in would not restore the damage done (loss of father and husband and breadwinner).

It would suit justice, but it wouldn’t really restore the order that existed before.

I would think a more appropriate satisfaction would be to resolve to care for the widow and children (anonymously, of course) to the degree he’s able.

OTOH, he would know that the authorities would always be looking for him the rest of his life, so that would be a pretty heavy burden. That is why it would be better to turn himself in and deal with the consequences. Better…but not necessarily the only course.