ABSTRACT

From the Old Danish skriftamal, Old Norse skriptamál. Its simplest lexical meaning in Danish is the disclosure of sins one has committed. Privately, it refers to the confession of sins to a priest/confessor. Publicly, it refers to the confession of sins by the pastor on the church’s behalf. Confession, preceding absolution, the ecclesiastical declaration of forgiveness of sins, is especially practiced as preparation for Communion.1