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The Practice of Confession in the Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church promotes auricular confession, a practice where individuals confess their sins privately to a priest. This sacrament, known as penance or reconciliation, is central to Catholic teachings on forgiveness. The formula often begins with the penitent addressing the priest, saying, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” This practice raises several theological and biblical concerns, particularly regarding its conformity to Scripture. By examining biblical teachings on confession, repentance, and forgiveness, we can evaluate the validity of this Catholic tradition.

Addressing Priests as “Father”

Catholics commonly address priests as “Father” during confession. However, Jesus explicitly instructed His disciples not to call anyone on earth “Father” in a spiritual sense, saying, “You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). The use of “Father” for priests contradicts this command, elevating the clergy to a position that belongs to God alone.

The Scriptures affirm that spiritual fatherhood is unique to Jehovah, the Creator and Sustainer of life. Isaiah 64:8 states, “You, Jehovah, are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” To address a human priest as “Father” in a spiritual context undermines the unique fatherhood of God.

Forgiveness of Sins: A Biblical Perspective

The Catholic Church asserts that all sins can be forgiven through the rite of confession. While the Bible teaches that God is merciful and willing to forgive sins, certain conditions and limitations apply. Hebrews 10:26 states, “If, after we have been given knowledge of the truth, we should deliberately commit any sins, then there is no longer any sacrifice for them.” Similarly, Mark 3:29 warns, “Let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.”

These verses highlight that forgiveness is contingent on genuine repentance and that some sins, such as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, are unforgivable. The notion that a human priest can absolve sins through confession is not supported by Scripture. Instead, the Bible emphasizes a direct relationship between the sinner and God.

Repetitive Prayers and Penance

In Catholic confession, penitents are often instructed to recite specific prayers, such as the “Our Father” or the “Hail Mary,” as acts of penance. However, Jesus condemned repetitive and formulaic prayers, stating, “In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard” (Matthew 6:7). The emphasis on repetitive prayers as a means of obtaining forgiveness is contrary to Jesus’ teaching on prayer.

Instead, Jesus provided a model for prayer in Matthew 6:9-12, which includes the plea, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This prayer underscores the importance of a sincere and personal approach to God, rather than relying on prescribed rituals.

The Apostles’ Authority to Forgive Sins

Catholics often cite John 20:21-23 to justify auricular confession, where Jesus said to His apostles, “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.” While this passage indicates that the apostles had a role in declaring forgiveness, it does not support the practice of private confession to priests.

The apostles understood their role as proclaiming God’s forgiveness based on repentance and faith in Christ. They did not act as mediators who personally absolved sins. For example, in Acts 5:1-11, Peter discerned the sin of Ananias and Sapphira but did not absolve them. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Paul instructed the congregation to discipline a sinful member, ultimately leading to his repentance and restoration (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

The authority given to the apostles was unique and temporary, aligned with their foundational role in the early church (Ephesians 2:20). There is no biblical evidence that this authority was passed down to subsequent generations or that it included the practice of private confession.

The Historical Development of Auricular Confession

Auricular confession did not originate in the apostolic era but emerged centuries later. The Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges that private confession became the norm in the fourth century C.E. The New Catholic Encyclopedia adds that this practice was influenced by monastic traditions in Ireland, Wales, and Britain, becoming formalized in the eleventh century.

This late development demonstrates that auricular confession is a human tradition, not a biblical command. The historical evidence further reveals parallels between Catholic confession and ancient Babylonian practices. Historian A. H. Sayce noted that private confession was common in Babylonia, predating its adoption in Christianity. Such influences highlight the extra-biblical origins of this practice.

Biblical Confession and Repentance

The Bible provides clear instructions on confession and repentance, emphasizing a direct relationship with God. Psalm 32:5 exemplifies this approach: “My sin I finally confessed to you, and my error I did not cover. I said, ‘I shall make confession over my transgressions to Jehovah.’ And you yourself pardoned the error of my sins.” This personal acknowledgment of sin before God is central to biblical forgiveness.

Jesus taught His followers to pray directly to God for forgiveness, saying, “When you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. . . . Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:6-12). The role of Jesus as the mediator is emphasized in 1 John 2:1: “If anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one.”

When sin involves another person, the Bible instructs believers to seek reconciliation directly with the offended party. Matthew 5:23-24 states, “If you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother.” This process fosters genuine repentance and restoration of relationships.

The Role of Elders in Serious Wrongdoing

In cases of serious sin, the Bible encourages seeking spiritual assistance from elders within the congregation. James 5:14-16 advises, “Is there anyone [spiritually] sick among you? Let him call the older men of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah. . . . Openly confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may get healed.” This confession is mutual and communal, not directed exclusively to a priest.

The purpose of involving elders is to provide guidance and support, not to act as mediators of forgiveness. Forgiveness ultimately comes from God, as stated in Proverbs 28:13: “He that is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.”

Conclusion: Biblical Confession Versus Catholic Confession

Auricular confession, as practiced by the Catholic Church, deviates from biblical teachings on repentance and forgiveness. The Scriptures consistently emphasize direct confession to God, personal accountability, and reconciliation with others. The role of spiritual leaders is to provide guidance and encouragement, not to serve as intermediaries who grant absolution.

By examining the biblical evidence, it becomes clear that the Catholic practice of confession is a human tradition lacking scriptural support. Believers are called to approach God directly through Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

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