Confession

According to Bishop Kallistos Ware, confession was originally meant to be public before the whole Christian community (James 5:16). However, this is not only impractical, but obviously difficult for people to confess their very private sins before their friends and family. The Priest, therefore, takes the role of the community, to witness our confession. This is why we say the Priest is merely a witness, and not a mediator. This is one way in which Orthodox confession differs from Roman Catholic practice.