Restitution of Stolen Property
Restitution of Stolen Property
Question:
Is a person’s repentance for theft sufficient for its forgiveness?
Answer:
Repentance alone is not sufficient; rather, the stolen property must also be returned.
In the story of the repentance of Zacchaeus the tax collector, we see him say, “I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Perhaps he took this from the Law, which says that if a person steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep (Exodus 22:1) (see also 2 Samuel 6:12).
If it is not possible to return what was stolen to the very person from whom it was stolen, it should be returned to his heirs, whether directly or indirectly. And if it is not possible at all to return it to its rightful owners, then at the very least it should not remain in the possession of the thief. He should give it to the poor, or to the public treasury, or to the family of the one who was robbed, or to his household.
The important thing is that he does not keep unlawful money in his possession.
Therefore, along with repentance, the stolen money must be returned; the thief confesses his sin and receives a punishment for it. Then the absolution for this sin is read to him for its forgiveness.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Seventh Year (Issue Three), 16-1-1976.
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