I think I got confused from the subject topic from the start. In the Catholic religion the belief is that the body is nothing more than a vessel of sorts for the soul. The soul leaves the body in death and goes on to one of three places, heaven, purgatory, or hell for the rest of eternity.
I guess what you are inquiring about is confession. This is on of the Sacraments in the Catholic religion.
Here is a link to follow that will explain.
Hopefully this can help answer your question.