In the teachings corresponding to the Catholic Church, the act in which sins are confessed to a priest is called penance, as a way of seeking God's forgiveness. This is a form of purification for the soul, as well as an incentive not to engage in conduct of dubious morality in the future. It is also called penance, the series of prayers that have to be performed after confession or conciliation, which are, depending on the sin committed and the criteria of the priest, imposed to settle the situation. It is, on some occasions, the series of sacrifices that a person imposes on himself, as a form of altruism or, well, as a punishment for the actions committed.
This is one of the many sacraments that Christians are urged to receive in the Catholic Church. It has taken various names throughout history, such as those mentioned in the catechism of the aforementioned church; in this, it is identified as the sacrament of conversion, the sacrament of forgiveness and the sacrament of reconciliation. It is mentioned a considerable number of times in biblical texts, so it can be said that it has a firm theological basis.
In ancient times, the penances imposed on Christians who decided to confess their sins, had to follow a pattern, beginning with the session, alone, with the bishop, to relate the most indecent actions committed. For a few weeks or even months, she had to wear a series of dresses that indicated she was in full penance; To this was added the fact that they had to fast, pray and give alms to all those in need, to show that the conversion was done. Due to the evolution of the teachings, the penances, in current days, are carried out in private.
