Changes

Public penance is when a penance for a sin requires public satisfaction as a condition for absolution and reconciliation with God.  It was popular in the early Middle Ages, most notably in 1174 when [[Henry II]] was required to walk barefoot to the shrine of [[St. Thomas of Becket]] for playing a role in his murder.  More typically a public penance was required to when the sin had a public nature, such as giving rise to [[scandal]].

'''Public penance''' is when a penance for a [[sin]] requires public satisfaction as a condition for absolution and reconciliation with [[God]].  It was popular in the early [[Middle Ages]], most notably in 1174 when [[Henry II]] was required to walk barefoot to the shrine of [[St. Thomas of Becket]] for playing a role in his murder.  More typically a public penance was required to when the sin had a public nature, such as giving rise to [[scandal]].

Generally public penance did not include an identification in public of the sinner, though it is possible that an astute observer might be able to infer a sin.

Generally public penance did not include an identification in public of the sinner, though it is possible that an astute observer might be able to infer a sin.