How would you answer this double choice question on my son's religion quiz

[Spyridon]

The priest seems to speak on God’s behalf as well as his own. Is the priest, as a representative of the Church, offering his own forgiveness on behalf of the Church?

I would say so, yes.

It’s understood that the primary person who hears the confession and absolves is Jesus, and also that redemption and forgiveness come from Jesus and his works, and that the Priest is commissioned by Jesus to stand in his place and forgive sins in his name by virtue of his priestly ministry of the Church.

 

[TK421]

Write the letter of the answer that best matches each description.

___ Forgives our sins in confession

   A. Jesus
   B. priest

Thanks guys!

As an administrator in training, I’d say that it’s a poorly written quiz

The priest is the instrument of God and provides absolution on behalf of the Church.
Jesus/God is the one who actually gives grace, since creatures can do nothing by themselves.

So without further description, you could go with either one. If the teacher handed out a study guide I guess you’d just have to memorize what the study guide says, which isn’t at all ideal.

 

[babochka]

babochka:

The priest seems to speak on God’s behalf as well as his own. Is the priest, as a representative of the Church, offering his own forgiveness on behalf of the Church?

I would say so, yes.

It’s understood that the primary person who hears the confession and absolves is Jesus, and also that redemption and forgiveness come from Jesus and his works, and that the Priest is commissioned by Jesus to stand in his place and forgive sins in his name by virtue of his priestly ministry of the Church.

Still, the answer to the question would be both.

 

[Spyridon]

Both would be the ideal answer to give, absolutely.

But if I had to choose either A or B in this case, A all the way. (And I’d write underneath - C. Both)

 

[Gorgias]

So without further description, you could go with either one.

I was loving your post till I saw this. Yes, “the priest is the instrument of God.” Yes, the priest “provides absolution on behalf of the Church.” Yes, “Jesus/God is the one who actually gives grace.”

However, the question asks who forgives. That’s God. Only God. Never a human. So… as written, the answer is ‘A’.

 

[Gorgias]

Still, the answer to the question would be both.

Nope. Priest absolves, God forgives. Distinct actions. Distinct roles. Distinct effects.

 

[FrDavid96]

Write the letter of the answer that best matches each description.

___ Forgives our sins in confession

   A. Jesus
   B. priest

Thanks guys!

The answer is both.

Christ forgives absolutely (entirely on His own) while the priest forgives ministerially (as representative in persona Christi)

It’s not a fair question if those are the only 2 answers.

 

[FrDavid96]

Nope. Priest absolves, God forgives. Distinct actions. Distinct roles. Distinct effects.

It’s actually both.

Absolution is a juridic act of the Church whereby the penitent is reconciled to the Church (which is, after all, the Body of Christ). The priest acts as the minister of the Church.

Forgiveness is the remission of the sin by God. The priest acts as the minister of Christ.

In the sacrament of Confession, absolution and forgiveness are inseparable—they’re 2 sides of one coin.

 

[Gorgias]

It’s actually both.

They both occur, without a doubt. But… it’s the priest who absolves (on behalf of the Church), right? And it’s God who forgives (through the act of the priest’s absolution), right?

Two sides of one coin? Sure. But still… two sides.

 

[FrDavid96]

FrDavid96:

It’s actually both.

They both occur, without a doubt. But… it’s the priest who absolves (on behalf of the Church), right? And it’s God who forgives (through the act of the priest’s absolution), right?

Two sides of one coin? Sure. But still… two sides.

Still all of the above.

The priest still does forgive ministerially.

 

[pflanzas]

It was a 5th grade test and only A and B choices

Thanks for your help

 

[guanophore]

However, the question asks who forgives. That’s God. Only God. Never a human. So… as written, the answer is ‘A’.

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Jn. 20:23

 

[JimG]

In the confessional, God does not speak the words of absolution. The priest does.

 

[brian_custer]

are you kidding us? the answer is A)

 

[JimG]

Jesus delegation of authority in John 20:23 is not meaningless. He meant what he said. "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

He wanted us to be able to hear the words of forgiveness from a priest and know that they are effective.