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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.

The '''Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation''' (also known colloquially as '''Confession''', '''Reconciliation''', and '''Penance''') is one of the seven [[sacraments]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Eastern Orthodox Churches|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.

==See Also==

==See Also==

* [[Sacrament]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]

* [[Sacrament]]s in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]]

** [[Baptism]]

** [[Baptism]]

** [[Eucharist]] - First Holy Communion

** [[Eucharist]] (the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of the Altar, Holy Communion)

** Confession

** [[Confession|Penance and Reconciliation]] (Confession)

** [[Confirmation]]

** [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation)

** [[Holy Orders]] for [[Priest]]s and [[Monk]]s

** [[Holy Orders]]

** [[Marriage]]

** [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony)

** [[Anointing of the Sick]]

** [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites)

== References ==

== References ==