Bible Dictionaries
Confession, Lay

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

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.

Bibliography Information
Entry for 'Confession, Lay'. 1910 New Catholic Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ncd/​c/confession-lay.html. 1910.