<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article's lead section does not adequately summarize key points of its contents . Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article . Please discuss this issue on the article's talk page . (November 2017) </Td> </Tr> <P> Confession, in many religions, is the acknowledgment of one's sins (sinfulness) or wrongs . </P> <P> Buddhism has been from its inception primarily a tradition of renunciation and monasticism . Within the monastic framework (called the Vinaya) of the sangha regular confession of wrongdoing to superiors (elders; Pali: Thera) is mandatory . In the sutras of the Pali Canon Bhikkhus confessed their wrongdoing to the Buddha himself . That part of the Pali Canon called the Vinaya requires that monks confess their individual sins before the bi-weekly convening for the recitation of the Patimokkha . </P> <P> In Catholic teaching, the Sacrament of Penance is the method of the Church by which individual men and women confess sins committed after baptism and have them absolved by God through the administration of a Priest . The Catholic rite, obligatory at least once a year for serious sin, is usually conducted within a confessional box, booth or reconciliation room . This sacrament is known by many names, including penance, reconciliation and confession (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sections 1423 - 1442). While official Church publications usually refer to the sacrament as "Penance", "Reconciliation" or "Penance and Reconciliation", many laypeople continue to use the term "Confession" in reference to the Sacrament . </P>

Who do catholic priests confess their sins to