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'''Confession''' is the popular term for the Christian [[sacrament]] more formally called Penance or Reconciliation. It is one of the seven official sacraments recognized in the [[Roman Catholic]], Eastern [[Orthodox]], and [[Old Catholic]] churches. Among [[Protestant]]s, it is not considered a sacrament but is practiced in one fashion or another, often as a general confession recited by the entire congregation prior to receiving [[Communion]]. The admission of guilt usually is coupled with a request for forgiveness from sin.

'''Confession''' is the popular term for the Christian [[sacrament]] more formally called Penance or Reconciliation. It is one of the seven official sacraments recognized in the [[Roman Catholic]], Eastern [[Orthodox]], and Old Catholic churches. Among [[Protestant]]s, it is not considered a sacrament but is practiced in one fashion or another, often as a general confession recited by the entire congregation prior to receiving [[Communion]]. The admission of guilt usually is coupled with a request for forgiveness from sin.

One may confess privately to God, but the [[Bible]] calls on believers to confess to each other, and many denominations--especially the ones named above--expect member to confess their sins to a priest so that he can absolve the penitent of his sins or reassure him of God's forgiveness. In the Catholic Church, the penitent is customarily given a penance (certain prayers) to be performed so that there will be a sense of reparation for sin and to remove some of the temporal punishment consequent to sin.

One may confess privately to God, but the [[Bible]] calls on believers to confess to each other, and many denominations--especially the ones named above--expect member to confess their sins to a priest so that he can absolve the penitent of his sins or reassure him of God's forgiveness. In the Catholic Church, the penitent is customarily given a penance (certain prayers) to be performed so that there will be a sense of reparation for sin and to remove some of the temporal punishment consequent to sin.