Confession (religion)
In the Latin Church, a priest sits in the center of a confessional box while penitents approach from alternating sides to confess their sins. This physical arrangement has remained largely unchanged for centuries, though public confession was once the standard practice before private confession became the norm. The Council of Trent, in Session Fourteen, Chapter I, cited John 20:22, 23 as the primary Scriptural proof for the doctrine concerning the sacrament. Catholics believe that God restores the person to the brightness of the white robe of baptism through this process. The basic form requires three acts on the part of the penitent: contrition, disclosure of the sins, and satisfaction. A perfect act of contrition removes eternal punishment associated with mortal sin even outside of confession, yet Catholics must still confess their mortal sins at the earliest opportunity. The Catechism states that regular confession of venial sins helps believers form their conscience and fight against evil tendencies.
Orthodox Christians choose an individual to trust as their earthly guide, often called a spiritual father, who may be a parish priest or a starets. Confession does not take place inside a confessional booth but normally occurs in the main part of the church itself before an analogion set up near the iconostasion. On the analogion is placed a Gospel Book and a blessing cross, and the confession often takes place before an icon of Jesus Christ. Before confessing, the penitent venerates the Gospel Book and places the thumb and first two fingers of his right hand on the feet of Christ as depicted on the cross. In some monasteries on Mount Athos, monks will confess their sins daily. The rite of Mutual Forgiveness involves an exchange between the priest and the congregation where all prostrate themselves and ask forgiveness for sins committed in act, word, deed, and thought.
Lutherans practice Holy Absolution privately to the pastor, who acts in persona Christi to announce absolution using the formula from the Lutheran Service Book. Private confession has historically been scheduled on Saturdays after vespers in preparation for Mass on the Lord's Day, though many churches make it available prior to Sunday Mass. Reformed traditions like Presbyterian and Congregationalist denominations treat corporate confession as the normative way that confession and absolution is practiced. The Order of Worship in the Bible Presbyterian Church enjoins specific confessional prayers read in unison followed by an Assurance of Pardon. Methodists hold that when believers confess, fellowship with the Father is restored and God cleanses them of all unrighteousness. John Wesley stated that confession to men is useful for disburdening the conscience and serving as a help to repentance.
In Hinduism, confession is part of pratikriya, which refers to voluntarily accepting one's errors and misdeeds to undo or reduce karmic consequences. Ancient Hindu literature discusses penance appropriate when the effect had to be balanced but the cause was unclear. Muslims believe sins are to be kept to oneself to seek individual forgiveness from God directly without human intermediaries. In Judaism, Jews confess communally during Yom Kippur service stating that we have sinned, while private confession to the victim is required for offenses against another man. Buddhists within the Vinaya framework require monks to confess their individual sins before the bi-weekly convening for the recitation of the Patimokkha. Alcoholics Anonymous incorporates confession into Step 5 where members admit to God, themselves, and another human being the exact nature of their wrongs.
Catholic Church teaching considers it the duty of priests not to reveal anything learned during the Sacrament of Penance, known as the Seal of Confession. Orthodox Christians understand that what is confessed to one's spiritual guide is protected by the same seal as any priest hearing a confession. The Book of Discipline in Methodism charges all clergy to maintain all confidences inviolate, including confessional confidences. Any confessor who divulges information revealed in confession is subject to deposition and removal from office in Anglicanism or defrocked in accordance with canon law in Methodism. The LDS Church requires that confession to a priesthood leader must be held in strict confidence unless the confessor grants permission to disclose it to a disciplinary council. In the Russian Orthodox Church, pectoral crosses often bear the Icon of Christ Not Made by Hands so that such an icon will be available to penitents experiencing imminent death away from a church.
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Common questions
What is the physical arrangement of a confessional box in the Latin Church?
In the Latin Church, a priest sits in the center of a confessional box while penitents approach from alternating sides to confess their sins. This physical arrangement has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
When did public confession become private confession in Catholic history?
Public confession was once the standard practice before private confession became the norm over time. The Council of Trent cited John 20:22 and 23 as the primary Scriptural proof for the doctrine concerning the sacrament during Session Fourteen Chapter I.
How do Orthodox Christians perform confession compared to Catholics?
Orthodox Christians choose an individual to trust as their earthly guide who may be a parish priest or a starets. Confession does not take place inside a confessional booth but normally occurs in the main part of the church itself before an analogion set up near the iconostasion.
Why do Lutherans schedule private confession on Saturdays after vespers?
Private confession has historically been scheduled on Saturdays after vespers in preparation for Mass on the Lord's Day though many churches make it available prior to Sunday Mass. Lutherans practice Holy Absolution privately to the pastor who acts in persona Christi to announce absolution using the formula from the Lutheran Service Book.
What is the Seal of Confession in the Catholic Church?
Catholic Church teaching considers it the duty of priests not to reveal anything learned during the Sacrament of Penance known as the Seal of Confession. Any confessor who divulges information revealed in confession is subject to deposition and removal from office in Anglicanism or defrocked in accordance with canon law in Methodism.