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act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.
state of being absolved.
Roman Catholic Theology.

a remission of sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of penance on the ground of authority received from Christ.
the formula declaring such remission.

Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.
Contemporary Examples

Like Gingrich, he is a convert and a thrice-married sinner engaged continually in confession and absolution.
Is Newt Preparing for a 2012 Run? Max Blumenthal March 28, 2009

Revising the second novel, Fallen Land, after the reviews were out for absolution made it a much less overwhelming process.
Patrick Flanery: How I Write Noah Charney April 30, 2013

What drew you to South Africa as the setting for absolution?
Patrick Flanery: How I Write Noah Charney April 30, 2013

My agent suggested I try to have a completed draft of a second novel before absolution was published.
Patrick Flanery: How I Write Noah Charney April 30, 2013

Their candidacies offer a degree of absolution for this uncomfortable fact.
The GOP’s New Race Card John Avlon March 17, 2010

Historical Examples

Come, my dear joy; I vill secure your body and your shoul too; I vill make you a good catholic, and give you an absolution.
The Beaux-Stratagem George Farquhar

Special assurance of forgiveness is also given in Confession and absolution.
An Explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism Joseph Stump

In my room I gave many dying persons the absolution; among them a tailor, who was shot down at my side.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11 Various

To the priest who gave her absolution she said, “I am dying because I listened to and believed the demon.”
My Double Life Sarah Bernhardt

Leonardus, after confession and absolution had been regularly gone through, administered the last unction.
The Devil’s Elixir E. T. A. Hoffmann

noun
the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment
(Christianity)

a formal remission of sin pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
the prescribed form of words granting such a remission

n.

“remission, forgiveness,” c.1200, from Old French absolucion, earlier assolucion, from Latin absolutionem (nominative absolutio) “completion, acquittal,” noun of action from past participle stem of absolvere “to absolve” (see absolve). Originally of sins; in general use from c.1400.