In 1215, a new church document mandated that every Catholic go to confession and receive Holy Communion at least once a year. Priests who revealed the identity of any penitent faced severe penalties.

"Confession in the Catholic Church is a spiritual encounter with God through the priest," he said in a statement to the Catholic Leader. "It is a fundamental part of the freedom of religion ...

The Catholic Church had the most cases. On Friday, Church leaders accepted most of the inquiry's recommendations. But their stance on confession may set up future conflict with governments.