Anybody can be a priest?

[Tiffinay]

My girlfriend is Christian and I truly believe she is where she belongs and in divine union with our Lord. But she believes that anyone can be a priest and can hear a confession. I personally prefer a priest who has taken an oath of confidentiality. Is that what it comes down to is personal preference. Again she is not choosing to follow Catholicsm but instead Christianity (non-denominational).

Thank you

 

[Joe_5859]

My girlfriend is Christian and I truly believe she is where she belongs and in divine union with our Lord. But she believes that anyone can be a priest and can hear a confession. I personally prefer a priest who has taken an oath of confidentiality. Is that what it comes down to is personal preference. Again she is not choosing to follow Catholicsm but instead Christianity (non-denominational).

Thank you

Well, her belief does not square with Catholic teaching, but it seems you already know that.

There is a very real sense in which all the baptized share in the priesthood of Christ. But this priesthood of believers is different in kind (not just degree) from the ordained, ministerial priesthood. It is to these ordained priests that Christ gave the power to bind and loose sins (AKA to hear Confession). It makes a difference who you confess to.

But, if your girlfriend is not Catholic, you cannot be surprised that she does not believe this. She would not confess to an ordained priest anyway without being Catholic first.

 

[SyroMalankara]

My girlfriend is Christian and I truly believe she is where she belongs and in divine union with our Lord. But she believes that anyone can be a priest and can hear a confession. I personally prefer a priest who has taken an oath of confidentiality. Is that what it comes down to is personal preference. Again she is not choosing to follow Catholicsm but instead Christianity (non-denominational).

Thank you

Anyone can be a priest of course – there are Hindu priest, Episcopal priest, Pagan priests… sure, anyone can be one of those. Only a baptized male ordained by a legitimate male bishop can be a Catholic priest.

 

[ffg]

People confess to all sorts of folks all the time.

But there is only one situation where a person can actionably have their sins absolved.

People like to interpret the NT details variously.

But when one takes a deeper look (Leviticus 5) and sees that priests were the folks in salvation history to whom people brought their sins, from whom sacrifices were made by the priest on behalf of the repentant.

It becomes more clear that the Apostles would have known the history and concluded similarly as they had been since following Jesus -

Processes were changing.

‘No more bloody sacrifices’ doesn’t mean ‘no more process required’.

 

[Wesrock]

Every Christian is part of the baptismal priesthood by virtue of his or her baptism. We offer ourselves and our offerings up in union with Christ, by virtue of Christ living within us.

That said, this is not the same as the ministerial priesthood the apostles were consecrated into, to lead the Church and administer the sacraments and to teach with authority on the revelation of Christ.

 

[Bonnie]

Your girlfriend isn’t Catholic. She can believe whatever she wants to.

 

[ffg]

She asked if confession comes down to personal preference with regard to the ear in the act, not if it was ok what her friend believed.

Also, as a Catholic, her reasoning needs a little strengthening over ‘personal preference’ for the sacrament.

Not least obviously would be the actual effects of the process, absolution, Grace, a renewed strongly connected relationship with God.

It is much more than personal preference.

Hopefully she sees that and asks more questions.

 

[Rosebud77]

“Therefore, make it your habit to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”

James 5.16

 

[rcwitness]

Any Baptized Christian has a share in the priesthood of the one and only true priest of God, who is Jesus.

The ordained priests, who pastor and oversee the Christian faithful, are men who have been chosen through their own discernment and laying on of hands by valid Bishops in communion with the Bishop of Rome. These priests are set apart from the general priesthood to minister and serve the flock, with duties and privileges.

 

[Tiffinay]

Wow! Such great answers. You’ve all really helped me to solidify where the difference lies. It is in my faith and whole hearted belief in the grace given by God to these chosen men called forth by discernment. My girlfriend has chosen to believe her church’s interpretation of a quote in the Holy Bible and I, as a Catholic, believe in my church’s interpretation of the Holy Bible. I like mine better (no offense Christians).:thumbs:

Tiffinay