Sacrament of confession

Sacrament of Confession

Confession and absolution is one expression of the Church’s “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). It is part of the way Christ accomplishes his restoration of believers who have been wounded by sin; the Epistle of James instructs all Christians to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). The risen Jesus gave a particular authority to his apostles: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them” (John 20:23). Bishops and priests carry on this apostolic ministry of authoritatively proclaiming God’s forgiveness, by pronouncing absolution over those who turn to him in repentance. Because sin damages our relationships both with God and our neighbor, the priest represents the Church as well as speaking on God's behalf to offer forgiveness.

Although many people see private confession as a particularly Roman Catholic practice, the Book of Common Prayer’s “Exhortation,” which is traditionally read in Anglican churches several times each year, includes these words: “If you have come here today with a troubled conscience, and you need help and counsel, come to me, or to some other priest, and confess your sins; that you may receive godly counsel, direction, and absolution. To do so will both satisfy your conscience and remove any scruples or doubt.” This assurance of forgiveness is one of the graces of confession and absolution. In the Anglican tradition, no one is required to make a private confession. However, it is an instrument of grace that should be made available to those who desire to make use of it.

A person preparing for confession should prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal their sins. It is helpful to work through a list such as the Ten Commandments or the “Seven Deadly Sins,” and to make written notes, so that they will be able to make a good and thorough confession. The confessor may need to ask clarifying questions, in order to help the individual name specific sins; there is no room for euphemisms before God. The priest serving as confessor must therefore be familiar with the Commandments, as well as the vices and virtues, in order to help an individual discern the difference between sin and temptation and identify habitual sins; the confessor should also (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) be prepared to offer counsel about how to resist temptation and “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Sometimes the confessor will ask an individual to read a short passage of Scripture or say a particular prayer afterwards (what is traditionally called a “penance”), as an act of thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness. Finally—assuming a sincere confession has been made, and the person does not refuse to repent of any known sins—absolution is pronounced. Whether or not the confessor offers any other counsel or prayer, this is itself an enactment of God’s grace.

The confidentiality of a completed confession is always morally absolute for the confessor. There are no circumstances whatsoever under which they can be revealed. An individual who makes a confession may choose to bring up what has been confessed, but it should not be brought up by the confessor. Nor is it permissible to treat a person differently in any way based on information revealed in confession. At the end of the liturgy of Reconciliation, the priest announces “The Lord has put away all your sins,” and a confessor must proclaim that Gospel of mercy, not only in word, but also in action.

Recommended Reading

The text for the ACNA approved liturgy of the Reconciliation of a Pentitent can be found here, or on the ACNA Liturgy page.

Moral Theology & Ethics

a. Ability to identify morally relevant information in a situation b. Evaluate using 3 methods: consequences, rules, character/virtue c. Resources from scripture & tradition d. Lives of the saints - exemplars of Christian life e. Mandated Reporter f. Individual & corporate g. Pastoral implications h. Sacrament of confession i. Cure of Souls j. Contemporary Moral Issues