Confession
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In criminal proceedings, a confession is a document in which a suspect admits having committed some crimes.
The Catholic sacrament of confession, lately renamed reconciliation, involves admitting, externally and orally unless there is an impediment (then signs or an interpreter should be used; see Denziger §147), one's sins to a priest and receiving penance (a task to complete in order to achieve absolution or forgiveness from God). The basic form of confession has not changed for centuries, although at one time confessions were made publicly. Colloquially speaking, the role of the priest is of a judge and jury; in theological terms, he acts in persona Christi and receives from the Church the power of jurisdiction over the penitent. The penitent must confess grave matter in order not to merit Hell, and may laudably confess venial sins as well as grave sins previously confessed. This sacrament provides healing for the soul as well as regaining lost justice with God. Roman Catholics consider Mt 9:2-8 and 1 Cor 11:27 to be examples of Scriptural bases for this sacrament.
The form of absolution in the Roman rite is: God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Prior to the Second Vatican Council the priest would absolve the penitent in Latin. Now as before, the penitent must make an act of contrition, which is a prayer the knowledge of which is considered necessary before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. It typically commences: O my God, I am heartily sorry... The Eastern Orthodox sacrament of confession, or repentance, includes prayer to God and confessing one's sins to God, typically in the presence of an icon of Jesus Christ and also with a priest nearby to bear witness. The priest will typically add his own prayers, may add counsel or assign some form of penance, and will usually announce God's forgiveness of sins.
Confession is necessary prior to receiving the Eucharist. Typical forms of penance may include abstaining from the Eucharist for a period of time, or praying certain prayers. When an adult enters the Orthodox Church through the sacraments of baptism and chrismation, a "life confession" will often be made either the same day or a few days prior to their chrismation. In that case, the absolution or declaration of God's forgiveness is typically delayed until it is given during the chrismation. At religious retreats or at any time out of religious devotion a penitent may make a general confession which subsumes all sins committed since Baptism, including sins already pardoned in other confessions. Many theologians recommend an occasional general confession for lay people seeking to deepen a life of prayer; it is generally required on a periodic basis of people who have entered the religious life.
See also: testimony, right to silence
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