Hmm IMO no one knows what is in a mans heart but G-d.
And yet Jesus trusted the Apostles so much that He gave them the awesome authority to Forgive and Not to Forgive men’s sins.
My punt is next time you have your parish priest over for dinner ask him which of the two cases in you example is truly repentant. My bet is he will agree only G-d knows and he is just doing the best he can on the information provided.
You don’t know my parish priest. I would bet my last nickel that he wouldn’t forgive the second person, for he has shown no sins of regret for his sins. If my priest had any doubts, he would simply ask and probe the man until he admitted that he was truly repentant or not. If not, then he would simply refuse absolution. My priest has told us that he has refused absolution before, although he wouldn’t give us the details.
I have seen people laugh in times of grief make jokes of terrible things they have done because they are having trouble copping with their actions.
Your second scenario could well be that.
As I mentioned, my priest would ask the man what he thought until he was absolutely sure the man was or wasn’t repentant.
I dont doubt your PP will try to spend more time with people to help them be comfortable to discuss where they are at.
But in the end Our Father knows who sits where, (he knows who is repentant and who is not) even Our Brother Yeshua (pbwh) did not know this.
Two points:
A) Yes, Jesus DID know that. What makes you say he didn’t.
B) Jesus gave this authority to men to Forgive Sins in His name.
But Yeshua (pbwh) gave to us all the authority to forgive i dont delegate mine, and while accepting and respecting your right to delegate would encourage you to pray and exercise it.
He DID NOT give us all authority. Jesus taught us that:
If we forgive the sins of others, then God will forgive us. And, of course, if we DON’T forgive the sins of others, God will not forgive us. No where in this passage does Jesus say that we have authority to forgive the sins of others in His Name.
My point was that the word was not written and compiled as it is today. For any who genuinely want to grow from it and pray about it My Father will send the best of helpers for His will in your perceived needs.
In one of my Lenten groups i praised My Father for the word that He guides and instructs us from at a community and personal level.
No dear said one of My Sisters only priests can interoperate the word it is not our place.
We can all interpret Scripture. We just can’t interpret it in a way that is contrary to Catholic teaching.
There is a huge difference, as it has helped to prevent mis-interpretation and falling into the many heresies that seem to spring up time and time again by those who trust their own authority.
For me when slumbering i am sure she was right but after being woken it is not the same.
She was adamant and the spirit inspired me to leave it to Him.
Well a couple of months later she was at our diocesan planning assembly, she sat at my table where i was with Leon a PP from another town. Leon offered in discussion how wonderful it is that G-d speaks to us each personally through scripture without a moments delay she purks up saying “ooh eye your right there Father” (she is a scott). I tell ya i could have cracked up laughing. This lady is lovely and i am blessed to share with her but i guess she will submit to a priest for all of her days.
The same spirit spoke through me and Leon, submission to His spirit IMO is on offer direct that is why Yeshua (pbwh) did what was done.
As said in other posts that does not deny that My Brother priests don’t help us, as iron sharpens iron so to do brothers sharpen brothers.
No arguing from me but in clarity for the light of this day. Yeshua (pbwh) gave authority to men who were following him.
My Church has been invaded by wolves at times, i dont see the authority in these men.
I have a very close at hand experience of a paedophile priest in my parish when i was a boy.
His position got him into our homes and parents gave him trust. I assume the Bishop would have judged him right for the position.
We now know before our dioceses he is alleged to have been a problem else where.
I understand the argument of ordination being above the acts of the man, but dont buy all of it.
I am dibbling again hey, sorry my point is the bishop did not know what was in Charlies heart despite Yeshua (pbwh) giving authority to the apostles.
I don’t reject Her i love Her so deeply but i dont think She is perfect, we together with Our Father are bringing Her to perfection.
If i dont see and help my mum with the splinter in her eye how will she help us get the splinters out of our eyes.
After i woke up G-d would inspire me to question and challenge, not on a soap box but with love. I would tell Him to “go away, they will burn me if i do that” He assured me He would not let it be that way and waited for me to do as He asked.
In my challenges i have been straightened, some of my challenges were result of being mis-informed by the Church priests and leaders past that had it wrong.
I have also in my life had priests lord beliefs they could not explain and shut me down by saying you just need faith.
I have had priests tell me it is good for us to differ, that they like that.
He has also inspired my to speak into a priest about his lack of faith, today he appears off the bottle in control and makes awesome blessing over the gifts.
Praise be to My Father one on one He does through me what i cant.
If i submitted to the priest where would we be?
Some fellow parishioner said he wont last he will leave the priesthood, my response is if that’s your faith then that’s what you will get.
I went to My Father and told Him i wanted my brother to stay a priest, but let it be your will not my will.
I know My Father can sort this out for Him its easy, here i am what would you have me do?
What an awesome Father we have let us **be found living in His spirit **and thus give life to the spirit of our Church.
The other way round is for the slumbering.