In the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (commonly called Confession, Reconciliation or Penance) is the method by which individual men and women may be freed from sins committed after receiving the sacrament

Sacrament

A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...

 of Baptism

Baptism

In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...

. For the confession to be acceptable according to Catholic teaching, the penitent (person seeking forgiveness) must tell his or her sins directly to an ordained Catholic priest or bishop.