How do I respond to non-Catholics arguing against the priesthood?

[mhaarnck]

I have a friend that told me it was not necessary to be married by a priest, confess our sins to a priest. She is very versed in the bible and told me that it does not say anything that a priest has to be present for these things. Priests are just mortals. She said priests did not come about until long after Jesus walked the earth. I said the disciples were the first priests and St. Peter was the first pope. I was not sure how to respond to her to defend my faith. How would you respond?

 

[Devon_Caffran]

These links should give you the answers that you need. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by this, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
Recommended Reading:

• Bishop, Priest, and Deacon
• Was St. Paul a priest?
• In the sacrament of Holy Orders, how is the priest everything and nothing?
• Is the Pope wrong about the priesthood?
• Call No Man Father?
• Celibacy and the Priesthood