The phrase "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned" is one that begins one of the most misunderstood Sacraments of the Church. Often priests hear this glibly spoken by those who have little or no concept of the significance of Jesus' commission to the Apostles or the command of the Apostles to speak forgiveness.

The demise of the Sacrament of Confession has had significant impact on the mental and spiritual health of Christians. Many have replaced Confession (or Penance) with psychiatry, psychology, social workers, family therapists, alcohol, pastoral "counselors" and other non-Biblical modalities. The result is guilt and a sense of self-worthlessness that cripples many Christians.

Jesus did not tell the Apostles to send people to a psychologist or pastoral counselor. He told them "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:22-23) James states in James 5:16, "Hence, declare your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may find healing". See also Lv. 5:5; Ps 31:5; Ezr 9:6-15, Mt 3:6, Acts 19:18, Col 3:4, I Thes 5:25 and Heb 13:18.

Sacramental Confession is done in the presence of a Priest in private. A priest can not under any circumstance reveal anything said in Confession. To do so would be to violate his vows and cause his removal from the priesthood. Forgiveness and absolution is pronounced for all sins for God can forgive any sin of which a person repents. The person must desire to hear the Word of the Lord, genuinely repent, ask forgiveness, and ask council from the priest.

The priest hears, councils, pronounces forgiveness and absolution and gives the person that which will assist him to restore within himself a sense of well-being. That action is often called "Penance" and may include restoration of situations, asking forgiveness, reading Scripture, prayers or other things which the Holy Spirit leads in the session.

In addition to private confession, there is General Confession done in context to the Liturgy of the Word which does not replace the significant sacramental grace received in private confession but none-the-less is in fact in response the Biblical Command and Apostolic Tradition speaking the grace of God into the lives of those asking forgiveness.

Priests and Bishops in the Charismatic Episcopal Church are ordained in Apostolic Succession and according to Jesus command are to administer the Sacrament of Confession.

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