CONFESSION
Confession: God’s Gift of Forgiveness and Freedom
Confession—sometimes called Reconciliation or Penance—has long been part of Christian spiritual life. While not always widely practiced, it is firmly rooted in Scripture, affirmed by the historic Prayer Book tradition, and offered as a pastoral gift for those seeking peace of conscience and assurance of God’s forgiveness.
At its heart, confession is not about shame or fear. It is about healing, honesty, and grace.
Confession in the Anglican Tradition
The Anglican understanding of confession is clearly reflected in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which provides multiple invitations for Christians to seek absolution when their conscience is troubled.
Before Holy Communion, worshippers are reminded that if they struggle with guilt, doubt, or uncertainty about God’s forgiveness, they should seek out a “discreet and learned minister” to open their heart, receive counsel, and hear God’s word of absolution spoken personally.
Similarly, in the rite for the Visitation of the Sick, those burdened by serious sin are encouraged to make a personal confession. The priest is then instructed to pronounce absolution, provided the penitent sincerely desires it. Morning and Evening Prayer also affirm that God has entrusted His ministers with the responsibility of declaring forgiveness to repentant believers.
In the 2019 Book of Common Prayer, this tradition continues in the rite for the Reconciliation of Penitents, where, after confession and pastoral counsel, the priest speaks Christ’s forgiveness clearly and directly in God’s Name.
Biblical Foundations of Confession
The Church’s practice of confession is grounded in Scripture, particularly in Jesus’ own words.
In Matthew 16, Jesus entrusts His apostles with the “keys of the Kingdom,” giving them authority to bind and loose—that is, to declare what is forgiven and what remains bound because of unrepentance.
After His resurrection, in John 20, Jesus breathes on the apostles and commissions them to forgive sins in His Name. This action echoes the understanding that breath signifies life itself. Through this act, Christ entrusted His Church with the responsibility of proclaiming forgiveness and calling sinners to repentance.
These passages show that confession is not a later invention, but a continuation of Christ’s own ministry of mercy.
Why Confession Is Still Needed
Anglicans fully affirm that God alone forgives sins, and that every Christian should turn directly to God in prayer after sinning. Confession to a priest does not replace personal repentance or prayer.
However, God has also chosen to work through His Church. There are moments when our hearts are clouded, our repentance uncertain, or our guilt overwhelming. In such times, hearing forgiveness spoken aloud can bring profound relief.
The sacrament of confession provides something deeply human and deeply pastoral:
An external declaration of Christ’s forgiveness when our internal sense of assurance fails us.
The Role of the Priest
In confession, the priest does not act as a judge standing over the sinner, but as a servant of Christ and steward of His mercy. The priest listens, offers pastoral guidance, and pronounces absolution—not by personal authority, but by Christ’s authority entrusted to the Church.
The word absolve itself means “to loosen” or “to release.” In confession, the burden of sin is named, addressed, and released through Christ’s saving work.
This act is both spiritually and psychologically healing, restoring peace where anxiety and doubt once lived.
When Is Confession Helpful?
Confession is especially helpful when:
Sin weighs heavily on the conscience
Repentance feels uncertain or confused
Guilt persists despite prayer
Serious sin has disrupted one’s relationship with God or others
For this reason, many Anglican parishes offer opportunities for confession during Lent and Advent, seasons traditionally marked by repentance and preparation.
The practice is often summarized this way:
“All may, some should, none must.”
A Sacrament of Mercy
Confession is not about humiliation—it is about restoration. It is Christ’s gift to His Church for moments when words of forgiveness are needed not just in general, but personally.
In confession, the penitent encounters the mercy of God face to face, hearing with human ears what God has already declared from heaven:
“Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.”