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What happens if I repent for my sins but don't take the next step of confessing?

Repentance is the first step but you need confession to have your sins absolved. Our Lord commanded His disciples saying, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:23). This authority was passed on from the Lord to the disciples, who passed it on to the bishops and to the priests who, acting on behalf of God, can give you the absolution.