Noun
the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
Source: WordNetWhoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the cause of true humility. Isaac the Syrian