A custom prevalent in the Middle Ages of confessing one's sins to a lay person, when danger of death was imminent and no priest could be obtained. Although lay confession was highly commended by theologians of that epoch as an act of humility and of penance, it was not regarded as possessing the sacramental efficacy of confession made to a priest.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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