History of Confession

[silouanathonite]

Does anyone have any information about the development of confession throughout the history of the Church. Thank you.

I know this is another thread, but can you believe this Sunday is already the Publican and the Pharisee. It's that time of year.

 

[E.C.]

Nutshell:
-Christ said "whatever you forgive on earth will be forgiven in heaven"
-back in the day, one confessed in front of the whole church
-eventually it went to what we do now. More converts that way.

 

[jckstraw72]

from stuff i have read confession was originally just for BIG sins like murder and adultery but it gradually became more all-encompassing, and especially with the rise of monasticism it became more rigorous.

there were early beliefs that sins could only be forgiven once after baptism, or not at all after baptism. i would assume this is referring to those big sins.

 

[AureateDawn]

Why exactly did it go to confession in front of the entire congregation to just with a priest, and when? I remember learning that long ago, and I always found it particularly interesting.

 

[Dorothea]

Why exactly did it go to confession in front of the entire congregation to just with a priest, and when? I remember learning that long ago, and I always found it particularly interesting.

The Church began to get many strangers joining it, and many in the existing congregation were feeling uncomfortable about sharing their confession with many strangers, so out of respect and mercy, the priest took the individual's confessions.

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

I have heard it before that the confession was made before the entire congregation, one reason for this practice to vanish might be the way our societies and personal nature of certain sins. Also certain sins like murder when confessed to a priest will stay with the priest, that priest will not turn the person in.

 

[jckstraw72]

also when the Church was legalized many ppl who werent as fervent about their faith joined, and it was scandalous to hear their sins being confessed, and could cause ppl to fall into judgmental pride.