Confession to priests

[GKCT]

Does anyone know when confession to priests begin? In the early church, from my readings, I have read where Brothers, not ordained priests, have given forgiveness for sins.

 

[rinnie]

Does anyone know when confession to priests begin? In the early church, from my readings, I have read where Brothers, not ordained priests, have given forgiveness for sins.

It began with Jesus Christ the High Priest of all times. If you read the bible it tells to if your Brother does not listen to you go to the Church.

Confession to Priest begins when Christ said you are Peter…whose Sins YOU forgive are forgiven who sins You retain are retained.

 

[nicolep]

It began with Jesus Christ the High Priest of all times. If you read the bible it tells to if your Brother does not listen to you go to the Church.

Confession to Priest begins when Christ said you are Peter…whose Sins YOU forgive are forgiven who sins You retain are retained.

I absolutely agree that the authority to forgive sins was/is granted by Jesus. However, the specific question is essentially “when did sacramental confession to a priest begin?” It had to start at some point. All of the rituals didn’t exist immediately upon gaining authority from God.

It’s an interesting question. I’d like ot know the answer, too. I imagine it happened at some early council, but I really can’t answer intelligently on the matter.

 

[rinnie]

It began at the moment Christ sent them out. John 20:21

there is tons of scripture showing it.

Also try James 5:15-16 Sins are forgiven by the Priest by the Sacrament of the Sick. It was the anointing of the sick. That one is pretty easy to see and understand.

But read James Chapter 5 the whole way through that will show you.

IV the Power of Prayer it says If he has commited Any sins he is forgiven. It more less shows you go to the Presbyters (another name for Priest) of the Church…

Hope that helps.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Does anyone know when confession to priests begin? In the early church, from my readings, I have read where Brothers, not ordained priests, have given forgiveness for sins.

It is my understanding that while people may have gone to confession with a consecrated brother (or monk) they still needed to approach a priest for absolution after that.

 

[rinnie]

I believe the first confession (forgiveness for our sins) was our baptism.

You know how the Apostles Creed says one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. This was probally the first confession. Peter right after Pentecost told them all to repent and be Baptised.

Alot of Protestants do not understand original sin. That we were born with it and Baptism washed it away once and for all. They think actual sins. (the sins committed after Baptism are included there also). Thats where you get into the drama faith alone etc.

 

[Joe_5859]

Here is Catholic Answers tract on Confession replete with quotes from the Early Church Fathers:

Confession

Frequent private Confession, as we are familiar with today, did not become the norm until later on (thank you, Irish monks ), but the Sacrament itself was around since the beginning.

 

[rinnie]

It is my understanding that while people may have gone to confession with a consecrated brother (or monk) they still needed to approach a priest for absolution after that.

How can that be? If they are a consecrated brother which is a Priest or monk they have the Sacrament of Holy Orders to forgive sin

 

[nicolep]

It began at the moment Christ sent them out. John 20:21

there is tons of scripture showing it.

Also try James 5:15-16 Sins are forgiven by the Priest by the Sacrament of the Sick. It was the anointing of the sick. That one is pretty easy to see and understand.

But read James Chapter 5 the whole way through that will show you.

IV the Power of Prayer it says If he has committed Any sins he is forgiven. It more less shows you go to the Presbyters (another name for Priest) of the Church…

Hope that helps.

Wow! I had no idea that the sacrament suddenly existed when Christ gave the authority to the Church. That simply cannot be…Christ gave the authority and suddenly everyone knew exactly who to go to for confession without any thought or instruction in the matter.

I have no doubt it was early on in the history of the Church. It couldn’t have come into being without some planning. It’s simply not possible. It might not be possible to narrow down an exact council either, but to say that confession, with a priest as we know it happened immediately after Christ gave authority seems a bit far fetched.

 

[nicolep]

Thank you. That’s what I was trying to figure out. Maybe I wasn’t expressing my intent well enough.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

How can that be? If they are a consecrated brother which is a Priest or monk they have the Sacrament of Holy Orders to forgive sin

At one point in time a person went to a non-ordained monk for confession with the priest providing absolution afterwards.

At least this is my understanding.

It is important to understand that not all consecrated brothers or monks are ordained.

 

[puzzleannie]

Does anyone know when confession to priests begin? In the early church, from my readings, I have read where Brothers, not ordained priests, have given forgiveness for sins.

I don’t know that “brother” as we understand it today, a male member of a religious order who is not ordained, was an office that existed in the early church, so I don’t know what source you are seeing that relates this.

 

[Joe_5859]

How can that be? If they are a consecrated brother which is a Priest or monk they have the Sacrament of Holy Orders to forgive sin

Although some monks/brothers are also priests, not all of them are. Consecrated brothers have not received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Only Deacons, Priests, and Bishops have.

 

[GKCT]

(name removed by moderator)

Thank you for your answer. Guess I should invest in a Catechism! Keep meaning to buy one, never get around to it. God bless the Irish!
But I’ll have to investigate a Brother hearing confessions. I didn’t think they did that, could be wrong on that account. I use a lot of erasers!

For others:

I know that Jesus instituted the sacrament with the apostles. And I knew that public confession was the norm, with some very harsh penances. And, yes, I do read the Bible and also lector at church, so I do know what it says regarding confessing and forgiveness.

 

[rinnie]

Although some monks/brothers are also priests, not all of them are. Consecrated brothers have not received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Only Deacons, Priests, and Bishops have.

Hi Joe I am confused here, I thought consecrated meant Holy Orders? Do you see what I am saying. I thought the word consecrated meant to make Holy. I was taught it was in Holy Orders when the Priest took the vow and was consecrated into the Priesthood.

 

[rinnie]

Wow! I had no idea that the sacrament suddenly existed when Christ gave the authority to the Church. That simply cannot be…Christ gave the authority and suddenly everyone knew exactly who to go to for confession without any thought or instruction in the matter.

I have no doubt it was early on in the history of the Church. It couldn’t have come into being without some planning. It’s simply not possible. It might not be possible to narrow down an exact council either, but to say that confession, with a priest as we know it happened immediately after Christ gave authority seems a bit far fetched.

How and when do you feel the Sacrament came into being? Was it not Christ who said go and forgve sins?

 

[nicolep]

How and when do you feel the Sacrament came into being? Was it not Christ who said go and forgve sins?

I think I’ve been plenty clear about my point. I said “the way we know it now”. It had to be developed. It had to be taught. You know exactly what I mean. I also made it quite clear that I know it was Christ who gave the authority.

I wanted to know when it happened. Not the authority to do so. Not when confession was originally taught in the Church, but when the CURRENT way started. I have no idea or I wouldn’t have asked!

 

[GKCT]

Brothers do not hear confession; consecrated Monks can hear confession. All monks are not consecrated.

I asked a Brother in the Benedictine order about this.

I really just wanted to know when confession to a priest began. We are forgiven our Original sin at Baptism, but is that an actual confession?

 

[nicolep]

Brothers do not hear confession; consecrated Monks can hear confession. All monks are not consecrated.

I asked a Brother in the Benedictine order about this.

I really just wanted to know when confession to a priest began. We are forgiven our Original sin at Baptism, but is that an actual confession?

Did you see the post on the first page? It was lengthy and went into fairly decent detail. I don’t know how accurate the information is, but it was interesting.

 

[Joe_5859]

Hi Joe I am confused here, I thought consecrated meant Holy Orders? Do you see what I am saying. I thought the word consecrated meant to make Holy. I was taught it was in Holy Orders when the Priest took the vow and was consecrated into the Priesthood.

You are right that to consecrate something is to make it holy, but it is not synonymous with Holy Orders. For example, a bishop consecrates the sacred chrism at the Chrism Mass every Holy Week; a priest consecrates the Eucharist; etc. And religious brothers and sisters are also often refered to as “consecrated” as they too are set apart for special service to God.

You could say that a priest is consecrated when he is ordained, but that’s not the only type of consecration.