Second, the act of confession is considered to be penance. The price of our sins was paid in full on the Cross, we can add nothing to that. The priest, however, may refuse to pray for forgiveness in certain circumstances. For example, if you've stolen something, the priest may require you to return it before praying for forgiveness.
Lastly, not all sins require a confession via a priest. Small sins, such as anger, can be confessed directly to God. Those sins which are severe enough to cause the seperation between yourself and the Church established by Jesus Christ should be confessed in the presence of a priest. Ultimately, all sin is judged by God.
Beyond these differences, the Orthodox Church would hold to the same basic understanding as the Roman Catholic Church.
I believe that God demands repentance. We need to see our sin and turn from it. I believe that true repetence is a gift from God.
The priest does not block true repentance by his presence , that is why I do not have strong opposition to it. If it is based on doing penence then I do. Jesus paid the price fully for every sin of mine ..past present and future..So the debt is already paid.
That is interesting.
Confession is easily the least favorite thing for lots of Catholics, lol.
I like the changes in confession since I came back to the church, in that I can choose to sit with the priest and talk about my sins in a way that is less “authoritative” or “condemnaory”.
Not sure I am expressing that in the way I want or in a clear way, but I remember as a kid that “dread’ of kneeling on the other side of the partition and the voice of the priest coming in a disjointed way.