A few readers object to the word — preferring “boasted” or something along those lines. Their argument is that “confessed” implies contrition of some kind. It’s a good point. I wonder if this is an objection which break down along religious — or intensity of religiosity — lines. Personally, I don’t hear contrition or repentence in the word confess. But I can see how Christians generally or Catholics in particular might.

For example, when the cops put undercover operatives in jail cells, they get the criminals to unwittingly “confess” to the crime even though under those circumstances the criminal isn’t showing contrition.