How does confession work? Is it only for Catholics?

[steve-b]

Do you believe that God is doing His work through the priest for him to forgive sins? I’m not sure that I understand.

In addition to what others have said,

One could ask,
why does Jesus insert and establish in His Church (via ordination) , the whole concept of a fellow sinning human being, albeit a “priest”, giving THEM the power to forgive or not forgive another person’s sins when after all, Jesus said according to John, all one has to do is confess our sins and our sins are forgiven. Yet later John writes one is NOT to pray for mortal sin. Meaning there are 2 types of sin, mortal and non mortal(venial) sin. Non mortal (venial) sin is OK to pray for for forgiveness. But not the mortal type

Thus we see by valid ordination and apostolic succession, why Jesus established in His Church, absolution in the sacrament of reconciliation, for ALL sin, especially mortal sin, via a validly ordained priest .

 

[pablope]

Do you believe that God is doing His work through the priest for him to forgive sins? I’m not sure that I understand.

Try listening to the perspective of this recent convert…on the sacrament of confession…

 

[2towers]

Glad you are asking about this. I knew in my heart that I HAD to confess my sins properly to a Catholic Priest, I was such a miserable sinner.[still am]

This was one of the driving forces behind my decision to become Catholic. I hope you listen to these inner urges you getting and decide to make that leap. Hands down, it is the best thing I have ever done in my entire life.

 

[Ogie_Reeves]

I appreciate you sharing your beliefs with me. I like to learn about the Catholic church in my spare time while I’m looking forward to serving a mission in the LDS church this year. I might not agree on everything, but I find my learning on here to be valuable in understanding what Catholics believe. One of my very close friends is Catholic and I have asked her questions as well. Thanks for your time answering my questions.