Do Catholic priests have the authority to forgive sins?

[Jones_ds]

What are the common arguments used to defend the belief that the apostles had the power to forgive and retain but that the power to do so was not passed on.

How do people opposed to confession to priest use scripture to make their point?

What is the Catholic response?

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

Jones_ds,

The following links should assist you in better understanding Confession. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading:
Confession
The Forgiveness of Sins
The Fathers Know Best: Confessing to a Priest
A Confession to Make by Tim Staples
God Is too Hot to Handle: Protestant Misconceptions about Confession by Jason Shanks