Chapter II: On Confession

1682. SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION is the accusation of one's own sins, made to a priest legitimately approved, for receiving their pardon by the power of the keys. - By the power of the keys, that is, by force of the power which the priest received from Christ the Lord of remitting sins, by opening heaven and closing hell.¹³ (cf. n. 1651.)

That all things pertaining to this matter may be treated suitably, we shall speak: 1. of the necessity of confession; 2. of its conditions; 3. of invalid confessions and those to be repeated.