Replies

The Greek homologeo, often translated as "confess," is not something done in silent prayer but aloud. The original language tells us that oral confession is referred to in the verse you cited, assuming you're referring to 1 Jn 1:9.

I don't know where you get your original language but my original language says yours is wrong...I'll stick with my original language...

G3670 homologeo
From a compound of the base of G3674 and G3056; to assent, that is, covenant, acknowledge: - con- (pro-) fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.

G3056 logos
From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

One of the best commentaries I read on the use of the word as oral confession of sin was from a nonCatholic pastor. I respect your right to understand the word any way you wish.

I based my comment on numerous sources. Here's a nonCatholic one citing "to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused of" as a definition.

Peace be with you. And to all my Catholic brethren on this difficult day. In a spirit of endings and looking toward the future I'm done with this thread and the sad lack of charity it generated.