PENINSULA

(I>at. pene, almost, and insula, an island.) A portion of land, as the term implies, nearly surrounded by water; as Africa, the Morea, California. In common parlance, the term Peninsula is usually applied to Spain and Portug<al; and the struggle so long maintained between these countries, aided by the British, and the French, at the commencement of the present century, is called the Peninsular war. PENITENCE, or PENANCE, in the Roman Catholic Church, is one of the seven sacraments. Priestly orders give the power to confer this sacrament; but, as a matter of discipline, their power is not exercised without authority from the Ordinary, either general or special, except in cases of nece ity. The terms penitence and penance are likewise used for the good works commanded by a priest to a penitent, to be performed in satisfaction of the sins of which he absolves him. Public penance, in the earlier times of the church, was imposed for great offences committed after baptism. It consisted in exclusion from the church, solitude, prayer, and fasting, and the readmi ion was only gradual: the penitent being first allowed to approach tlie doors of the church; then to attend at sermons and readings, but not at prayers; then to pray, kneeling, . The time of penance varied according to different usages: St. Basil mentions two years for theft, seven for sensuality, fifteen for adultery, twenty for homicide, and the whole life for apostacy. Public penance for secret sins was generally remitted about the 7th century; and its commutation for the repetition of prayers and bestowing of alms began in the next. These alms were frequently applied by the penitent to the purchase of ma es for himself or others. Afterwards the usage of pilgrimage as a mode of penance became general; and, finally, indulgences began to be sold in the 12th century. [s. 922]