Confession (religion)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In Roman Catholic settings, the traditional style of confessional allows the priest, seated in the center, to hear from penitents on alternating sides.
A confessional in Colombia

Confession, in many religions, is the acknowledgment of sinful thoughts and actions. This may occur directly to a god or to fellow people.

It is often seen as a required action of repentance and a necessary precursor to penance and atonement. It often leads to reconciliation and forgiveness.

Christianity

Catholicism

Modern confessional in the Church of the Holy Name, Dunedin, New Zealand. The penitent may kneel on the kneeler or sit in a chair facing the priest (not shown)

In Catholic teaching, the

Sacrament of Penance is the method of the Church by which individuals confess sins committed after baptism and have them absolved by God through the administration of a priest. The Catholic rite, obligatory at least once a year for serious sin, is usually conducted within a confessional box, booth or reconciliation room. This sacrament is known by many names, including penance, reconciliation and confession.[1]
While official Church publications usually refer to the sacrament as "Penance", "Reconciliation" or "Penance and Reconciliation", many clergy and laypeople continue to use the term "Confession" in reference to the Sacrament.

For the Catholic Church, the intent of this sacrament is to provide healing for the

Scriptural proof for the doctrine concerning this sacrament.[4] Catholics also consider Matthew 18:18,[5] describing the power to "bind" and to "loose", to be among the Scriptural bases for the sacrament.[6]

The Catholic Church teaches that sacramental confession requires three "acts" on the part of the penitent: contrition (sorrow of the soul for the sins committed), disclosure of the sins (the 'confession'), and satisfaction (the 'penance', i.e. doing something to make amends for the sins).[7] The basic form of confession has not changed for centuries, although at one time confessions were made publicly.[8]

Typically, the penitent begins sacramental confession by saying, "Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been [time period] since my last confession."

Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit."[11] "When Christ's faithful strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon."[12]

The Catholic Church teaches, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, that confession is not a tribunal or criminal court, where one is condemned by God like a criminal, but a "wedding banquet hall, where the community celebrates Easter, Christ's victory over sin and death, in the joyful experience of his forgiving mercy." In confession, the church believes, God judges a person in the sense of bringing to light their sins, by granting the person the ability to confess their sins to the confessor, then grants the person repentance and, through the confessor, grants the person forgiveness. God's forgiveness restores the person to "the brightness of the white robe of baptism, a garment specifically required to participate in the [wedding] feast."[13]

Eastern Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy

Protection of the Theotokos, Düsseldorf, Germany
.

In general, Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Christians choose an individual to trust as their spiritual guide. In most cases, this is the parish priest, but may also be a

seal as would be any priest hearing a confession. Only an ordained priest may pronounce the absolution.[citation needed
]

Confession does not take place in a confessional, but normally in the main part of the church itself, usually before an

Jesus Christ. Orthodox understand that the confession is not made to the priest, but to Christ. The priest stands only as witness and guide. Before confessing, the penitent venerates the Gospel Book and blessing cross and places the thumb and first two fingers of his right hand on the feet of Christ as depicted on the cross. The confessor will often read an admonition warning the penitent to make a full confession, holding nothing back.[citation needed
]

As with administration of other sacraments, in cases of emergency confession may be heard anywhere. For this reason, especially in the Russian Orthodox Church, the pectoral cross that the priest wears at all times will often have the Icon of Christ "Not Made by Hands" inscribed on it so that such an icon will be available to penitents who are experiencing imminent death or life-threatening danger in the presence of a priest but away from a church.[citation needed]

In general practice, after one confesses to one's spiritual guide, the parish priest (who may or may not have heard the confession) covers the head of the person with his

Holy Communion.[citation needed
]

A penitent confessing his sins

In the

Eastern Churches, clergy often make their confession in the sanctuary. A bishop, priest, or deacon will confess at the Holy Table
(Altar) where the Gospel Book and blessing cross are normally kept. He confesses in the same manner as a layman, except that when a priest hears a bishop's confession, the priest kneels.

There are many different practices regarding how often Orthodox Christians should go to confession. Some Patriarchates advise confession before each reception of

Dormition Fast), and there are many additional variants.[14] Many pastors encourage frequent confession and communion. In some of the monasteries on Mount Athos
, the monks will confess their sins daily.

Eastern Christians will also practice a form of general confession, (or manifest contrition), referred to as the rite of "Mutual Forgiveness". The rite involves an exchange between the priest and the congregation (or, in monasteries, between the

]

Lutheranism

"Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession an enumeration of all sins is not necessary." (Augsburg Confession, Article 9)

Lutherans differ from other Protestants as they practice "confession and absolution" (in two forms). They, like Roman Catholics and many Anglicans, see James 5:16[15] and John 20:22–23[16] as biblical evidence for confession.[17]

The first form of confession and absolution is done at the Divine Service with the assembled congregation. Here, the entire congregation pauses for a moment of silent confession, recites the confiteor, and receives God's forgiveness through the pastor as he says the following (or similar): "Upon this your confession and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."[18]

A confessional box in the Luther Church (Helsinki, Finland)

The second form of confession and absolution is known as "

Seal of the Confessional (similar to the Roman Catholic tradition). Luther's Small Catechism says "the pastor is pledged not to tell anyone else of sins to him in private confession, for those sins have been removed.[17]

At the present time, Confession and Absolution is expected before partaking of the Eucharist for the first time.[20] Confession and Absolution has historically been scheduled on Saturdays (after vespers), in preparation for Mass on the Lord's Day (though it may be held on any day of the week depending on the individual Lutheran parish).[21][22]

Reformed and Presbyterian

Presbyterian churches, like Lutheran and Anglican churches, are not only a confessional church when it comes to the Creeds, but a confessional church when it called to repentance and penance. All Reformed churches practice this in one manner or another. Many Reformed and Presbyterian churches (including the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church (USA) and Presbyterian Church in America) practice Confession in the Divine Liturgy or Divine Worship on each Lords Day. The practices are found in the Book of Common Worship, the Book of Order and the Book of Common Order
.

It may start usually with the following confessional prayer read in unison, followed by the

Kyrie Eleison or Trisagion (Holy God, holy and mighty) and Agnus Dei
(Lamb of God).

Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you
with our whole heart and soul
and mind and strength.

We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

In your mercy,
forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name.

— Book of Common Worship

Following this, an Assurance of Pardon is spoken.[23]

The

Directory of Worship, in directing the components or worship, states: "A prayer of confession of the reality of sin in personal and common life follows. In a declaration of pardon, the gospel is proclaimed and forgiveness is declared in the name of Jesus Christ. God's redemption and God's claim upon human life are remembered."[24]

Anabaptism

Many

Mennonite and Amish traditions, encourage confession to another or to the elders,[25] and some denominations require such confession when a wrong has been done to a person as well as to God. Confession is then made to the person wronged and also to God, and is part of the reconciliation process. In cases where sin has resulted in the exclusion of a person from church membership due to unrepentance, public confession is often a prerequisite to readmission. The sinner confesses to the church their repentance and is received back into fellowship. In both cases there is a required manner to the confessions: for sins between God and man and for sins between man and man. Confession in the Anabaptist tradition is done in the humble posture of kneeling.[26]

Anglicanism

In the

Anglican tradition, confession and absolution is usually a component part of corporate worship, particularly at the Eucharist
(as with Lutheranism). The form involves an exhortation to repentance by the priest, a period of silent prayer during which believers may inwardly confess their sins, a form of general confession said together by all present and the pronouncement of general absolution by the priest, often accompanied by the sign of the cross.

Private or auricular confession is also practiced by Anglicans and is especially common among

seal of the confessional
, as with Roman Catholicism, is absolute and any confessor who divulges information revealed in confession is subject to deposition and removal from office.

Historically, the practice of auricular confession was highly controversial within Anglicanism. When priests began to hear confessions, they responded to criticisms by pointing to the fact that such is explicitly sanctioned in "The Order for the Visitation of the Sick" in the Book of Common Prayer, which contains the following direction:

Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special Confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter. After which Confession, the Priest shall absolve him (if he humbly and heartily desire it).

— Book of Common Prayer

Auricular confession within mainstream Anglicanism became accepted in the second half of the 20th century; the 1979 Book of Common Prayer for the Episcopal Church in the US provides two forms for it in the section "The Reconciliation of a Penitent".

Private confession is also envisaged by the canon law of the Church of England, which contains the following, intended to safeguard the seal of the confessional:

[I]f any man confess his secret and hidden sins to the minister, for the unburdening of his conscience, and to receive spiritual consolation and ease of mind from him; we [...] do straitly charge and admonish him [i.e., the minister], that he does not at any time reveal and make known to any person whatsoever any crime or offence so committed to his trust and secrecy

— Proviso to Canon 113 of the Code of 1603[27]

There is no requirement for private confession, but a common understanding that it may be desirable depending on individual circumstances. An Anglican aphorism regarding the practice is "All may; none must; some should".[28]

Methodism

In the

class meetings traditionally meet weekly in order to confess sins to one another.[33]

pastor, and therefore lay confession is permitted, although this is not the norm.[36]

In the Methodist tradition, corporate confession is the most common practice, with the Methodist liturgy including "prayers of confession, assurance and pardon".

The confession of one's sin is particularly important before receiving Holy Communion; the official United Methodist publication about the Eucharist titled This Holy Mystery states that:

We respond to the invitation to the Table by immediately confessing our personal and corporate sin, trusting that, "If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Our expression of repentance is answered by the absolution in which forgiveness is proclaimed: "In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!"[38]

In Methodism, the minister is bound by the

defrocked in accordance with canon law.[39]

The Book of Offices and Services of the Order of Saint Luke, a Methodist religious order, contains a corporate Service of Prayer for Reconciliation in addition to a Rite of Reconciliation for Individual Persons.[40]

Many Methodists, like other Protestants, regularly practice confession of their sin to God himself, holding that "When we do confess, our fellowship with the Father is restored. He extends His parental forgiveness. He cleanses us of all unrighteousness, thus removing the consequences of the previously unconfessed sin. We are back on track to realise the best plan that He has for our lives."[41]

Irvingism

In the

Irvingian Churches, such as the New Apostolic Church, persons may confess their sins to an Apostle.[42] The Apostle is then able to "take the confession and proclaim absolution".[42] In cases of grave urgency, any priestly minister can hear confessions and pronounce absolutions.[42]

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The

.

Within confession, the sinner must confess both to God and to those persons wronged by the sin.

disciplinary council, but does not have the authority to forgive sin, which can come only from God.[45][43] The confession to the priesthood leader must be held in strict confidence unless the confessor grants permission to disclose it to the disciplinary council.[43] The LDS Church rejects the belief that confession is all that is required to secure repentance from God.[48]

Pre-Reformation reformers

The Lollard movement, started by John Wycliffe in the 14th century denied the sacrament of absolution.[49][50]

According to Petrus Bernandinus, the Church needed to be renewed with the sword; until this was accomplished, there was no need to confess, since all priests, secular and regular, were unworthy.[51]

The Taborites denied priestly confession.[52]

Hinduism

In Hinduism confession is part of Prāyaścitta, a dharma-related term and refers to voluntarily accepting one's errors and misdeeds, confession, repentance, means of penance and expiation to undo or reduce the karmic consequences.[53] It includes atonement for intentional and unintentional misdeeds. The ancient Hindu literature on repentance, expiation and atonement is extensive, with earliest mentions found in the Vedic literature.[53][54] Illustrative means to repent for intentional and unintentional misdeeds include admitting one's misdeeds, austerities, fasting, pilgrimage and bathing in sacred waters, ascetic lifestyle, yajna (fire sacrifice, homa), praying, yoga, giving gifts to the poor and needy, and others.[55][53][56]

Those texts that discuss Prāyaścitta, states Robert Lingat, debate the intent and thought behind the improper act, and consider penance appropriate when the "effect" had to be balanced, but "cause" was unclear.[54]

Islam

The act of seeking forgiveness from God for sins is called Istighfar. Confession of sins is made directly to God and not through man; the only exception is when confessing to a person is a required step in recompensing for the damage done. It is taught that sins are to be kept to oneself to seek individual forgiveness from God. God forgives those who seek his forgiveness and commit themselves not to repeat the sin. Typically, a Muslim will pray to God for forgiveness and promises that they will be careful not to commit the same mistake/sin ever again.[57][58]

Alcoholics Anonymous

In the AA

Twelve-Step Program, confession is made in Step 5: "Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."[59]

"If we decline to follow through with this step, our un-confessed sins will haunt us, resulting in the demise of our body and spirit. We will have to continue paying the penalty of our wrongdoings."[60]

"By completing the Fifth Step, we gain God's forgiveness, supervision, and strength. We obtain complete forgiveness..."[60]

Judaism

In Judaism, confession is an important part of attaining forgiveness for both sins against God and another man. Confessions to God are done communally in the plural. During Yom Kippur service, Jews confess that "We have sinned." In matters involving offenses against a fellow man, private confession to the victim is a requirement to obtaining forgiveness from the victim, which is generally a requirement to obtaining forgiveness from God. If the victim refuses to forgive, the offender confesses publicly, before larger and larger audience. Confession (viduy) is also performed on one's deathbed, if at all possible.

In pre-rabbinic Judaism, sacrifices were an important part of atonement.

Buddhism

Buddhism has been from its inception primarily a tradition of renunciation and monasticism. Within the monastic framework (called the

Patimokkha
.

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ "A Service of Healing II", after the "Confession and Pardon", states "A Confession and Pardon from 474–94 or A Service of Word and Table V or UMH 890–93, or an appropriate psalm may be used." The words noted here are thus taken from page 52 of the Book of Worship, which details the Service of Word and Table V, specifically the conclusion of the part of the rite titled "Confession and Pardon".

References

  1. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church. pp. Paragraph 1423–1442. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Dictionary: PERFECT CONTRITION". www.catholic culture.org.
  3. ^ John 20:22–23
  4. ^ "Fourteenth Session of the Council of Trent". EWTN. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. ^ Matthew 18:18
  6. ^ "The biblical basis for the sacrament of reconciliation". Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church:VII. The Acts of the Penitent nn. 1450–1460". Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  8. ^ Hanna, Edward Joseph (1911). "Penance" . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  9. ^ "How to go to Confession: The Basics". Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  10. ^ 1983 Code of Canon Law, Can. 988 §1: "Code of Canon Law – IntraText". Archived from the original on 2011-05-08. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
  11. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1458.
  12. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1456.
  13. ^ Evangelizatio.Va: 24 Hours for the Lord, Part 1: Confession
  14. ^ "Confession, Communion and Preparation for Communion". Orthodox Christian Comment. 31 Aug 2007. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 11 Apr 2016.
  15. ^ James 5:16
  16. ^ John 20:22–23
  17. ^ a b Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation
  18. ^ Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service I
  19. ^ Lutheran Service Book, Individual Confession and Absolution
  20. ^ Apology of the Augsburg Confession, article 24, paragraph 1. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  21. . The North German church ordinances of the late 16th century all include a description of private confession and absolution, which normally took place at the conclusion of Saturday afternoon vespers, and was a requirement for all who desired to commune the following day.
  22. ^ Leigeber, Joshua P. (9 December 2022). "Resources for Private Confession". All Saints Lutheran Church and School. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Book of Order, W-3.3301d". Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  24. ^ "pcusa.org" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  25. .
  26. . Kneeling for the rites of baptism, prayer, ordination, footwashing, and confession portrays the humble stance of Gelassenheit.
  27. ^ Proviso to Canon 113 of the Code of 1603, retained in the Supplement to the present Code
  28. ^ Becker, Michael Confession: None must, All may, Some should
  29. ^ Blunt, John Henry (1891). Dictionary of Doctrinal and Historical Theology. Longmans, Green & Co. p. 670.
  30. ^ Pruitt, Kenneth (22 November 2013). "Where The Line Is Drawn: Ordination and Sexual Orientation in the UMC". Rethink Bishop. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014. Sacraments for the UMC include both Baptism and Eucharist. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions count five more, which many Protestants, including the UMC, acknowledge as sacramental: Confession/Absolution, Holy Matrimony, Confirmation/Chrismation, Holy Orders/Ordination, and Anointing/Unction.
  31. . The reason is simply that Wesley assumed the validity of Anglican practice in his day as reflected in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. His later comments on the priestly office substantiate this. Just as preaching in the Methodist movement was not a substitute for Holy Communion, so for Wesley class meetings did not take the place of personal confession and absolution.
  32. ^ Morris, F.O. (1882). The Ghost of Wesley [extracts from his writings]. p. 10. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  33. ^ "Methodist Christianity". The Order of Saint Patrick. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2019. The society groups could be divided into smaller groups called "classes" that would provide for even more intimate spiritual support and nurture. These classes were composed of about a dozen people who met once a week for spiritual conversation and guidance. Members spoke about their temptations, confessed their faults, shared their concerns, testified to the working of God in their lives and exhorted & prayed for each other. Every Methodist was expected to attend class meetings.
  34. .
  35. . Occasionally, they may ask the minister to anoint them, hear their confession or absolve them of sin. (In fact, confession and absolution do not have to be done by an ordained minister: one of the cornerstones of Methodism is 'every member is a minister'.) Wherever necessary, the minister encourages the dying person to seek reconciliation with and forgiveness from family members or friends.
  36. . Confession is an "office of the keys" (see Matthew 16:19) belong to all baptized persons, that is, anyone may confess and any believer may pronounce the word of forgiveness. A declaration of forgiveness is permanent and binding because it comes from Jesus Christ himself.
  37. ^ a b Hickman, Hoyt (2014). "Prayers of Confession". Interpreter Mazine. The United Methodist Church. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  38. .
  39. ^ 1996 Discipline ¶ 332. The United Methodist Church. 5. All clergy of The United Methodist Church are charged to maintain all confidences inviolate, including confessional confidences. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  40. .
  41. ^ Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup (6 September 2013). "Must I confess my sins?". The Methodist Church in Singapore. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  42. ^ a b c "12.4.4 Confession". New Apostolic Church. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  43. ^ a b c d J. Richard Clarke, "Confession", New Era, November 1980.
  44. ^ "12: How Do I Prepare People for Baptism and Confirmation?". ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
  45. ^ a b Marion G. Romney, "Repentance", Ensign, November 1980.
  46. ^ C. Scott Grow, "Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?", New Era, October 2013.
  47. ^ "Finding Strength to Abandon Sin," in "Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts" (Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church, 2006).
  48. ^ D. Todd Christofferson, "The Divine Gift of Repentance", Liahona, November 2011.
  49. ^ "John Wycliffe Was an English Bible Translator and Early Reformer". Learn Religions. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  50. ^ "Lollard | English religious history | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  51. ^ Kirsch, Johann Peter (1911). "Petrus Bernardinus" . Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11.
  52. ^ "Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle Ages. A.D. 1294–1517 – Christian Classics Ethereal Library". www.ccel.org. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  53. ^ .
  54. ^ .
  55. ^ Kāne, Pāndurang Vāman (1953). History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 4 (1st ed.). Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. p. 41.
  56. .
  57. ^ "qa.sunnipath.com". Archived from the original on 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  58. ^ "hadithcollection.com". Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  59. ^ "In early A.A., sharing and confession was an integral part of recovery for alcoholics. Both Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob truly believed that the Fifth Step was absolutely necessary if an alcoholic was to be cured. Even Anne Smith, commonly referred to as the 'Mother of A.A.,' believed that confession, or sharing of wrongs, was vital." Retrieved from aa-history.com Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
  60. ^ a b "Alcoholics Anonymous History – A.A. History Articles, Resources, and Information". Archived from the original on 2014-10-11.
  61. ^ "The Bhikkhus' Rules: A Guide for Laypeople". www.accesstoinsight.org.
  62. ^ "Ethics of Buddha and Buddhism by Sanderson Beck". www.san.beck.org.

Further reading

External links