ST Suppl., q. 20
Of Those on Whom the Power of the Keys Can be Exercised
Supplement — compiled posthumously from Aquinas's early Sentences commentary
We must now consider those on whom the power of the keys can be exercised. Under this head there are three points of inquiry:
(1) Whether a priest can use the key, which he has, on any man?
(2) Whether a priest can always absolve his subject?
(3) Whether anyone can use the keys on his superior?