Confession

Reconciliation of a Penitent

All may; some should; none must.

The Reconciliation of a Penitent (pp 446-448 in The Book of Common Prayer [1979]), more commonly called Confession, is available for all who desire it and is not restricted to times of sickness. Sacramental or “auricular” confession is not required in the Anglican tradition, though it is understood as a profound spiritual gift and is strongly encouraged for all sins that directly contradict the commands of God in Holy Scripture and all serious sins that trouble the conscience.

The ministration of the complete forgiveness of God that has been made possible through the work of Christ is available sacramentally through the apostolic ministry of priests and bishops. The specific ministry of absolution is declared by Jesus to his apostles in John chapter 20 when He appears to them after His resurrection, breathes on them the Holy Spirit, and proclaims: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (v. 23). As it is in the broad catholic world, absolution may be pronounced only by a bishop or priest.

Sin damages and alters a Christian’s relationship with God and only through contrition and repentance can that relationship be restored. The Church has always taught that a Christian can confess their sin – any sin – directly to God and receive all the grace that God has to offer. But what we often forget is how difficult it can be to face honestly the sin in our life and to come to a real point of sorrow about them and a true desire to change. Thus, the gift of private confession allows the Christian to name their sins in the presence of a priest (representing to the penitent both the Church as well as God) and come face-to-face with our sins in the light of God in a way that we scarcely do on our own.

For the priest to be able to offer absolution, the penitent must give evidence of due contrition, a firm intention of amendment of life, and when necessary, a willingness to make restitution. After the confession is made, the priest gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and pronounces absolution. Before giving absolution, the priest may assign to the penitent what is often called “penance” – a psalm, prayer, or hymn to be said, or something to be done, as a sign of penitence and act of thanksgiving.

The content of a confession is not normally a matter of subsequent discussion. The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken.

Download guide: How to Make Your Confession (.pdf)