Confession as the Work of the Priest

Confession as the Work of the Priest

First: The Essence of the Sacrament of Confession

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that confession is the condemnation of the self before God in the hearing of the priest, not merely stories or complaints about others. It is a holy sacrament in which the Holy Spirit works; therefore, it must be practiced with reverence and dignity, inside the church and in a serious spiritual atmosphere. Confession is not a social meeting, but a sacred encounter between the human being and God, and the priest is a witness and an instrument for the work of grace.

Second: Repentance as the Basis of Absolution

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that absolution is not given except with true repentance. There is no forgiveness without repentance, and no repentance without correcting the consequences of sin. Whoever stole must return what was stolen, whoever wronged must restore the right, and whoever harmed must repair what was corrupted. Therefore, confession is also called the sacrament of repentance, because its essence is the sincere return to God.

Third: The Importance of Confession in Spiritual Life

Confession is an individual work that enters into the depths of the soul, unlike the general sermon. It leads to repentance, spiritual growth, and deepening the relationship with God. It is a spiritual means for examining the self and correcting the path; therefore, a suitable time must be dedicated to it away from confusion or haste.

Fourth: The Qualifications of the Father of Confession

The father of confession must be a true father in the spirit of fatherhood, not with authority or control. He should be experienced in the human soul, in the wars of the devils, and in the spiritual path, possessing wisdom and discernment. He keeps confidentiality completely, does not ask out of curiosity, and does not use confession to build personal influence or attract followers. He is firm and loving, gentle without weakness, and strong without harshness.

Fifth: Dealing with Souls

The father of confession considers the personality of each person, guiding each one according to his nature and abilities, without pressuring his conscience or imposing on him what exceeds his capacity. He does not turn obedience into domination, nor make the confessor a permanent dependent, but helps him toward spiritual maturity so that he becomes capable of discernment.

Sixth: The Duties of the Confessor

The confessor must consider the time, reputation, and circumstances of the father of confession, and be honest and sincere without bias toward himself. He preserves the secrecy of confession as the priest preserves it, and does not use the spiritual father to achieve personal purposes. He builds his relationship with his father of confession on trust and love, accepts rebuke with humility, and obeys not only in what agrees with his desire, but in what benefits him spiritually.

The General Message

Confession in the Coptic Orthodox understanding is a sacrament of repentance and growth, based on a sacred relationship between the spiritual father and his son, aiming at the salvation and building up of the soul in Christ. It is a work of grace that requires sincerity, truthfulness, and humility from both sides, so that it may lead to true forgiveness and mature spiritual life.

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