Mortal sins and Confession

[Magnavox]

I have a question that I have been wondering about.

I agree that priests can forgive sins, and I agree that God wants us to use priests to forgive us our sins. But where does it ever say that its mandatory to use a priest? I read John 20 that Christ gave the apostles the power to forgive sins…however, did he ever say this was the only way to have a mortal sin forgiven…and by saying what he did … how did we get that he was meaning it was the only way and they were the only ones who could do it. I understand perfect contrition will also forgive us, but only if we go to sacramental confession as soon as possible. I understand why we go to confession, but I don’t understand why its obligated to go. I just need help understanding why if God can forgive venial sins by asking him, why can’t he also forgive mortal sins by asking him, and where is it taught that the apostles successors are the only ones that can do the forgiving…

Thanks.

 

[fish90]

Here is the Catechism of the Catholic Church with regard to confession.
vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm

The reason why we go to confession is for our sins to be forgiven. You already know that Jesus gave the apostles this authority to absolve sins. Priests are among the continuation of the apostles. In short, you go to confession in order to know your sins are forgiven, because they are. There is no need to go to hell when Christ gave you this wonder of graces. The reason why the priest is the only person that can forgive sins is that you cannot find any quote in the bible that says otherwise and because the Tradition of the Church has always found this to be correct. I will yield this answer to another poster.

There is truth that your mortal sins can be forgiven through a perfect act of contrition, but this is very difficult to do, so confession is the best answer. Confession gives you the proof your sins are forgiven with the perfect act of contrition you can only hope God forgave you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[beeliner]

Since humans are imperfect by nature, a PERFECT act of contrition is LITERALLY impossible.

But God is PERFECTLY just and merciful.

Telling the Lord in prayer that you are sincerely sorry that your various transgressions offended Him, and that you would be equally sorry even if there were no punishment, and humbly asking His forgiveness, and vowing to do better tomorrow, and meaning it, is probably as close to perfect as it is possible to get.

But you should still confess to a priest regularly.

 

[Magnavox]

I agree that you should confess to a priest. I am in 100% agreement that Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. I just failed to see where Jesus said “Only you 11 apostles can forgive sins, and nobody else on Earth.” Or “Your successors will be the only ones that can forgive mortal sins.”

Just strikes me as odd while God can forgive venial sins, just pray and ask him, but he won’t forgive mortal sins by simply asking him.

I am not trying to get out of going to confession or looking for a reason not to go. Confession is good for you, sound spiritual advice and you are able to hear and know without a doubt that your sins are forgiven, no guessing.

I am having a hard time proving to protestants where Jesus told them they had to forgive sins because nobody else could.

Maybe this is where we have to go by Sacred Tradition and where the sola scriptura heresy fails. Or does one have to appeal to the authority of the church on Earth…?

 

[baltobetsy]

Magnavox, this would be an excellent question for the Apologetics forum. The folks there are ready with explanations and scripture quotes for just about anything you want to explain to a protestant.

Maybe you could search there or simply ask your question again in a new thread over there. Not that you’re not welcome here - it’s just that the people over there answer this kind of question as a hobby!

Betsy

 

[fish90]

I agree that you should confess to a priest. I am in 100% agreement that Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. I just failed to see where Jesus said “Only you 11 apostles can forgive sins, and nobody else on Earth.” Or “Your successors will be the only ones that can forgive mortal sins.”

Just strikes me as odd while God can forgive venial sins, just pray and ask him, but he won’t forgive mortal sins by simply asking him.

I am not trying to get out of going to confession or looking for a reason not to go. Confession is good for you, sound spiritual advice and you are able to hear and know without a doubt that your sins are forgiven, no guessing.

I am having a hard time proving to protestants where Jesus told them they had to forgive sins because nobody else could.

Maybe this is where we have to go by Sacred Tradition and where the sola scriptura heresy fails. Or does one have to appeal to the authority of the church on Earth…?

The difference is due to the severity of mortal sin. Mortal sin separates you from God and unconfessed mortal sin will bring you to hell.

The apologetics forum would be better for you. Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[Magnavox]

I have a question that I have been wondering about.

I agree that priests can forgive sins, and I agree that God wants us to use priests to forgive us our sins. But where does it ever say that its mandatory to use a priest? I read John 20 that Christ gave the apostles the power to forgive sins…however, did he ever say this was the only way to have a mortal sin forgiven…and by saying what he did … how did we get that he was meaning it was the only way and they were the only ones who could do it. I understand perfect contrition will also forgive us, but only if we go to sacramental confession as soon as possible. I understand why we go to confession, but I don’t understand why its obligated to go. I just need help understanding why if God can forgive venial sins by asking him, why can’t he also forgive mortal sins by asking him, and where is it taught that the apostles successors are the only ones that can do the forgiving…

Thanks.

 

[Magnavox]

Okay. I am sorry. I thought this is where the confession questions were supposed to be asked. I will ask over there.

Merry Christmas

 

[Filioque]

I have a question that I have been wondering about.

I agree that priests can forgive sins, and I agree that God wants us to use priests to forgive us our sins. But where does it ever say that its mandatory to use a priest? I read John 20 that Christ gave the apostles the power to forgive sins…however, did he ever say this was the only way to have a mortal sin forgiven…and by saying what he did … how did we get that he was meaning it was the only way and they were the only ones who could do it. I understand perfect contrition will also forgive us, but only if we go to sacramental confession as soon as possible. I understand why we go to confession, but I don’t understand why its obligated to go. I just need help understanding why if God can forgive venial sins by asking him, why can’t he also forgive mortal sins by asking him, and where is it taught that the apostles successors are the only ones that can do the forgiving…

Thanks.

The obligation to go to confession at least once a year is to ensure we all make a minimum effort in our Faith. Venial Sins of course can be confessed, although few of us only commit venial sins, and have no mortal sins to confess when we go to the sacrament.

Most important of all is that Mortal Sin severs our relationship with God, and is restored ordinarily by the Sacrament. In Venial Sin our relationship with God is weakened but not severed.

 

[fish90]

Okay. I am sorry. I thought this is where the confession questions were supposed to be asked. I will ask over there.

Merry Christmas

No No No. No need to apologize.

The issue is that the apologetics forum attracts better responders to this very important question. GOOD LUCK AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[Magnavox]

The obligation to go to confession at least once a year is to ensure we all make a minimum effort in our Faith. Venial Sins of course can be confessed, although few of us only commit venial sins, and have no mortal sins to confess when we go to the sacrament.

Most important of all is that Mortal Sin severs our relationship with God, and is restored ordinarily by the Sacrament. In Venial Sin our relationship with God is weakened but not severed.

I agree with the obligation to go. Where are we taught that the apostles and the apostles successors are the only ones that can forgive mortal sins? I know they can, but where was it first taught “they only” could do it.

 

[thomas_jd]

john 20:22-23 “receive the holy spirit”. As the role of a priest is defined during absolution.
This is just part of the graces given to aid the penetient from God.

heb 5:1-4 " For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifice for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people.And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was."

For myself I find comfort and strength in the knowledge that the priest was chosen to administer the sacraments to us.
Thought I have often attempted a perfect act of contrition, I feel I have never attained one.I will continue to try, but I rely on the confessional.
I hope I have helped answer this question.

 

[Filioque]

I agree with the obligation to go. Where are we taught that the apostles and the apostles successors are the only ones that can forgive mortal sins? I know they can, but where was it first taught “they only” could do it.

We read in Sacred Scripture that before He gave the Apostles the authority to forgive sins, He laid His hands on them and breathed on them. Laying Hands is an ancient Jewish practice which symbolizes the transmission of authority from someone who has that authority to someone else. (The person laying on hands does not loose his authority.) We see breathing on someone or something from the very beginning is used to signify God’s lifegiving graces being imparted.

We only see the Apostles, and their successors who have hands laid on them and being breathed on. That is Bishops and priests to us today. Deacons are not breathed upon, and the Bishop only lays one hand on them when they are ordained.

 

[Magnavox]

We read in Sacred Scripture that before He gave the Apostles the authority to forgive sins, He laid His hands on them and breathed on them. Laying Hands is an ancient Jewish practice which symbolizes the transmission of authority from someone who has that authority to someone else. (The person laying on hands does not loose his authority.) We see breathing on someone or something from the very beginning is used to signify God’s lifegiving graces being imparted.

We only see the Apostles, and their successors who have hands laid on them and being breathed on. That is Bishops and priests to us today. Deacons are not breathed upon, and the Bishop only lays one hand on them when they are ordained.

Okay. That answers some. I agree 100% the apostles could forgive sins. I agree that their successors can forgive sins. Now, the only question that remains is this…did Jesus teach this was “the only way” for me to receive forgiveness for mortal sins…I realize it is one way, but did he say it was the only way, or is this a teaching that the Church has taught us?

 

[TheDoctor]

Okay. That answers some. I agree 100% the apostles could forgive sins. I agree that their successors can forgive sins. Now, the only question that remains is this…did Jesus teach this was “the only way” for me to receive forgiveness for mortal sins…I realize it is one way, but did he say it was the only way, or is this a teaching that the Church has taught us?

The only recorded way of Jesus teaching forgiveness was by his charge to the Apostles in John 20:23:“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” The teaching that only an ordained priest continues to hold that power is part of Sacred Tradition as handed down from the Apostles through the Magisterium. Is that what you are looking for?

 

[Filioque]

The only recorded way of Jesus teaching forgiveness was by his charge to the Apostles in John 20:23:“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” The teaching that only an ordained priest continues to hold that power is part of Sacred Tradition as handed down from the Apostles through the Magisterium. Is that what you are looking for?

While I agree with The Doctor, I think we’ve already discussed here that if no priest is to be had, a perfect act of contrition suffices. This is based on the authority the Church has, given by Jesus, regarding the keys. It is also based on the teachings of the Church that God will not deny anyone graces if the means to attain them cannot be accessed.

In similar situations, one who cannot receive the Holy Eucharist is encouraged by the Church to make an act of Spiritual Communion, to nourish their soul. Or the fact that the Church upholds as both Valid and Licit the marriage of two Catholics without the presense of a priest or deacon, although the other conditions remain, ie, no impediments, and two Catholic witnesses. Many such marriages existed in mission countries, and when a priest could be had, the marriage rite did not need to be repeated, but the priest simply gave the Nuptual Blessing.

 

[Magnavox]

The only recorded way of Jesus teaching forgiveness was by his charge to the Apostles in John 20:23:“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” The teaching that only an ordained priest continues to hold that power is part of Sacred Tradition as handed down from the Apostles through the Magisterium. Is that what you are looking for?

I think this helps me here. “The only recorded way of Jesus teaching forgiveness.”

I think I can use this. It seems this topic comes up often in my discussions with protestants…no one has asked me this exact question but I was trying to think the topic through thoroughly and maybe I can use that thought…thanks.

 

[Magnavox]

While I agree with The Doctor, I think we’ve already discussed here that if no priest is to be had, a perfect act of contrition suffices. This is based on the authority the Church has, given by Jesus, regarding the keys. It is also based on the teachings of the Church that God will not deny anyone graces if the means to attain them cannot be accessed.

In similar situations, one who cannot receive the Holy Eucharist is encouraged by the Church to make an act of Spiritual Communion, to nourish their soul. Or the fact that the Church upholds as both Valid and Licit the marriage of two Catholics without the presense of a priest or deacon, although the other conditions remain, ie, no impediments, and two Catholic witnesses. Many such marriages existed in mission countries, and when a priest could be had, the marriage rite did not need to be repeated, but the priest simply gave the Nuptual Blessing.

Thank you for all your help as well. May God bless you.

 

[Magnavox]

I am still not sure where the idea of confessing only mortal sins to the apostles and their successors came in the picture however.