Ooh... this sounds like a trick question! (smirk!) I do not confess at a confessional, but we are supposed to confess our sins to the Lord and to one another (directly) in terms of if we have sinned against or offended our brother or sister:
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:15-17 (in Context)
James 5 (Whole Chapter)
Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
That's why I couldn't choose any of the poll questions. There may be a situation where you might have to go to the pastor or priest to confess something but that doesn't mean that that's enough in terms of following through with the repentence/forgiveness part.... In this case, I see the priest/pastor as an intervening figure between the two HUMAN parties, as Jesus is our intercessor between the human and God the Father. That thing has to be right with thy brother directly before coming to offer a gift unto the Lord.
Matthew 5:
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
