confessor

n. [ OF. confessor, F. confesseur, fr. L. & LL. confessor. ] 1. One who confesses; one who acknowledges a fault, or the truth of a charge, at the risk of suffering; specifically, one who confesses himself a follower of Christ and endures persecution for his faith. [ 1913 Webster ]

He who dies for religion is a martyr; he who suffers for it is a confessor. Latham. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our religion which hath been sealed with the blood of so many martyrs and confessors. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A priest who hears the confessions of others and is authorized to grant them absolution. [ 1913 Webster ]