I agree EXCEPT, HOW does a Priest KNOW that that person did not just go to Confession??? Very tricky.
They don't. It's out of the priest's hands.
They may be able to lie to a priest, but they cannot consciously "lie" to God and get away with it.
(and that goes for errant priests and bishops too!)
That stuff adds up, and unless they are honest with themselves and confess their sins and repent, God will deal with them accordingly.