Some aspects of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. "Why confessing sins to a priest in Confession?"

Abstract

The article concerns the penitent's duties related to the confession of sins in the sacrament of confession. The confession of sins is an integral part of the sacrament of penance. Neither mental discomfort related to confession nor shame towards the confessor exempt from this obligation. The necessity of confessing sins also results from the double role of the confessor, as he is both a judge and a spiritual physician to the penitent afflicted with the disease of sin. Every sin hurts not only the sinner himself, but also affects the whole community of the Church. Hence, the sinner should also be reconciled with the Church and in the community of the Church. Thus, the individual confession is a sign of reconciliation between the sinner and the Church as well as a sign of standing in truth before God and the Church. It should be comprehensive, i.e. covering all individual sins, including mortal sins, committed after the last valid confession. Only a situation of physical or mental incapacity, such as illness or a tendency to forget, exempt from the obligation of complete confession of sins.