Chris,
Confession is Biblical. Consider these verses from John chapter 20 which Christ spoke:
20: And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22: And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (my emphasis). Hi, I know what Jesus said about fergiving sins. That when He started the scarament of penance. But what He didn’t say that we have to tell our sin to another human and that what a priest is. Why can’t we tell God our sin and have the priest grant us absolution. For it is God that forgives us not the priest. You seem like a pretty good Catholic and I think you know that. Even the RCC knows this and at times has commual confession.
Also please consider Matthew 9:2-8:
2: And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3: And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4: And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5: For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6: But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7: And he arose, and departed to his house.
8: But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
And 1 Corinthians 11:27:
27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
We do not believe that the priest forgives the sins of his own power, we believe it is the priest, in union with Christ who forgives the sins.
God bless.