Protestants, can a Catholic Priest forgive sins?

[Feanor]

Hi guys this is a question for my fellow Catholics.

I am just ignorant here so could you help me with this. Isn’t it Christ that forgives us THROUGH the priest- not so much the priest himself doing the forgiving. Or does this have something to do with the office of the priest/Christ forgiving us and the priest reconciling us with the Church?

I may be wrong- just curious.

Thanks,

It is sad that our Protestant brethren don’t have this great gift. As a therapist I see the psychological value that is even outside of the spiritual dimension. Having that guarantee is really awesome.

 

[Ginger2]

If a person confesses to a priest, but isn’t really sorry, he just wants a pass to sin, are his sins really forgiven?

If not, then the priest doesn’t have the power to forgive sins.

AND

If I am truly sorry for my sins but a priest refuses to hear my confession, can I go directly to Jesus and be forgiven?

If so, then the priest really doesn’t have the power to retain sins.

If a priest refuses to hear my confession, I can go to Christ Jesus, who is my mediator? The Bible says so!

If there is one mediator between God and man, then Jesus, who knows my heart will forgive me even tho your priest will not.

 

[Feanor]

Certainly the Bible cover the Catholic understanding of the nature of sin.

But with protestants it’s the bible, the bible, the bible.

2000 years have taught us things. Jesus didn’t just stop teaching 2000 years ago. There is more than the Bible though it is certainly an immensely important and integral source of Divine revelation.

Still can any Catholics answer my above question.

 

[celticcrusader]

Hi guys this is a question for my fellow Catholics.

I am just ignorant here so could you help me with this. Isn’t it Christ that forgives us THROUGH the priest- not so much the priest himself doing the forgiving. Or does this have something to do with the office of the priest/Christ forgiving us and the priest reconciling us with the Church?

I may be wrong- just curious.

Thanks,

/////// Yes you are right , the Priest is acting Persona Christie. but the stumbling block is understanding this and the use of personal interpertation to fit your argument. I know I could take some verses and justify murder does that make me right. you have to trust the judgement & interpertation of the RCC since they put the Bible together. I have heard it said , it is our book.

 

[benedictus2]

Hi guys this is a question for my fellow Catholics.

I am just ignorant here so could you help me with this. Isn’t it Christ that forgives us THROUGH the priest- not so much the priest himself doing the forgiving. Or does this have something to do with the office of the priest/Christ forgiving us and the priest reconciling us with the Church?

I may be wrong- just curious.

Thanks,

It is sad that our Protestant brethren don’t have this great gift. As a therapist I see the psychological value that is even outside of the spiritual dimension. Having that guarantee is really awesome.

Exactly as you understand it. I have explained that before with an analogy as well.

 

[benedictus2]

If a person confesses to a priest, but isn’t really sorry, he just wants a pass to sin, are his sins really forgiven?

If not, then the priest doesn’t have the power to forgive sins.

AND

If I am truly sorry for my sins but a priest refuses to hear my confession, can I go directly to Jesus and be forgiven?

If so, then the priest really doesn’t have the power to retain sins.

If a priest refuses to hear my confession, I can go to Christ Jesus, who is my mediator? The Bible says so!

If there is one mediator between God and man, then Jesus, who knows my heart will forgive me even tho your priest will not.

Just because Christ can forgive directly does not invalidate his gift of the power to forgive to priests.

Christ instituted the sacrament but he is not limited by the sacrament. So your reasoning does not hold.

If I am president and want to pardon those in jail, I can delegate that but it will not stop me from stepping in every now and again and doing it myself.

Christ does not revoke His gift to His Church.

People don’t go to confession to get a pass to sin. You have some really twisted thinking here. In fact, it is actaully easier to get a pass to sin when you do not have to tell a human being about sin. Owning up to one’s sin to a fellow human being actually brings home to one the enormity of one’s sin.

 

[Ginger2]

Exactly as you understand it. I have explained that before with an analogy as well.

The problem is the priest can’t see into the person’s heart so the priest will always say “your sins are forgiven” even when those sins are not forgiven.

Therefore, a priest doesn’t really forgive sins on behalf of God or otherwise.

 

[Ginger2]

JPeople don’t go to confession to get a pass to sin. You have some really twisted thinking here.

I’m not saying the purpose of confession is to get a pass to sin.

I am saying that some people don’t understand the process.

Just like some Protestants mistakenly believe OSAS is a free pass to sin,

some misguided Catholics think confession is a pass to sin.

It’s a fact, the priest cannot see into a person’s heart. It’s also a fact that a person who says "bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was __ and then confesses his sins, will be told he is forgiven and asked to recite x many Hail Mary’s and X many Our Fathers.

Whether he is truly repentant or just went in because he was taught a priest can remove his sins.

 

[withwind]

aren’t there some Christians who have to confess their sins online to the public to make them feel better? Why are they doing this?

 

[withwind]

The problem is the priest can’t see into the person’s heart so the priest will always say “your sins are forgiven” even when those sins are not forgiven.

Therefore, a priest doesn’t really forgive sins on behalf of God or otherwise.

Did all the apostles see into a person’s heart?

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

I’m not saying the purpose of confession is to get a pass to sin.

I am saying that some people don’t understand the process.

Just like some Protestants mistakenly believe OSAS is a free pass to sin,

some misguided Catholics think confession is a pass to sin.

It’s a fact, the priest cannot see into a person’s heart. It’s also a fact that a person who says "bless me father for I have sinned, my last confession was __ and then confesses his sins, will be told he is forgiven and asked to recite x many Hail Mary’s and X many Our Fathers.

Whether he is truly repentant or just went in because he was taught a priest can remove his sins.

**Why are you so hung up on the confessional?? **

 

[benedictus2]

The problem is the priest can’t see into the person’s heart so the priest will always say “your sins are forgiven” even when those sins are not forgiven.

Therefore, a priest doesn’t really forgive sins on behalf of God or otherwise.

The forgiveness does not come from the priest “seeing " into the person’s heart. Christ KNEW THAT when he instituted the sacrament and yet HE WENT AHEAD AND SAID 'WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE…”.

Also, priests have been know to withold absolution when they are aware that the sinner is not truly repentant. Example would be if someone is confessing fornication and yet the priest knows that he/she is living in sin and has no intention of chaging the status quo.

People who go to the extent of confessing their sins to a priest have the “intention” of living differently but do fall again and again. But the power of confession is not just the forgiveness of sins. The grace of strength to fight temptations is also given.

Some are better able to fight temptations others less.

Can you honestly say that once you have confessed a sin to Jesus you have not commited the same sin? If that were the case you should be perfect by now.

 

[benedictus2]

Did all the apostles see into a person’s heart?

A triumph of clear thinking!!!

 

[Ginger2]

Did all the apostles see into a person’s heart?

ACTS 5
1
1 A man named Ananias, however, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
2
He retained for himself, with his wife’s knowledge, some of the purchase price, took the remainder, and put it at the feet of the apostles.
3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land?
4
While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.”
5
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it.
6
The young men came and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
7
After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened.
8
Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?” She answered, “Yes, for that amount.”
9
Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10
At once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men entered they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Think about that for awhile.

 

[benedictus2]

ACTS 5
1
1 A man named Ananias, however, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
2
He retained for himself, with his wife’s knowledge, some of the purchase price, took the remainder, and put it at the feet of the apostles.
3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land?
4
While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.”
5
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it.
6
The young men came and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
7
After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened.
8
Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?” She answered, “Yes, for that amount.”
9
Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10
At once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men entered they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Think about that for awhile.

That is just one example. If you look at the question it said Did ALL of them read hearts?

In another post you said this gift was passed on to those that the apostles annointed. Did ALL those read hearts? Is there proof that ALL of them read hearts?

Now, if you are saying that this gift was not passed on, how do you account for the fact that there are saints WHO WERE AND ARE ABLE to read hearts? One example is Padre Pio and I am sure there are others.

The gift of the power to forgive sins IS NOT CONTINGENT upon the ability to read hearts.

 

[benedictus2]

ACTS 5
1
1 A man named Ananias, however, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
2
He retained for himself, with his wife’s knowledge, some of the purchase price, took the remainder, and put it at the feet of the apostles.
3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land?
4
While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.”
5
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it.
6
The young men came and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
7
After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened.
8
Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?” She answered, “Yes, for that amount.”
9
Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10
At once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men entered they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Think about that for awhile.

And another thing. When Christ forgave us on the cross, we were not sorry. Those who killed him were not sorry.

When St Stephen, St Mary Gorretti, Romero, JPII forgave those who has done them harm, those people were not sorry.

The act of forgiveness goes beyond the penitents state of repentance. The knowledge of knowing one is forgiven actually brings about even deeper repentance.

Forgiveness is an act of love and Christ wanted us to know His love through the sacrament of confession.

As I’ve said before, Christ instituted this sacrament knowing that there will be those who will rock up to the confessional not 100% sorry for their sins. It has a power beyond just the wiping of past sins. It has the power to bring about true repentance.

I have forgiven people who I know are not truly sorry. If I can do that, by your reasoning, that makes me better than Christ. Quite a heretical thought.

 

[Ginger2]

That is just one example. If you look at the question it said Did ALL of them read hearts?

In another post you said this gift was passed on to those that the apostles annointed. Did ALL those read hearts? Is there proof that ALL of them read hearts?

Now, if you are saying that this gift was not passed on, how do you account for the fact that there are saints WHO WERE AND ARE ABLE to read hearts? One example is Padre Pio and I am sure there are others.

The gift of the power to forgive sins IS NOT CONTINGENT upon the ability to read hearts.

There’s a reason I suggested you think about it awhile, before responding…

 

[Ginger2]

And another thing. When Christ forgave us on the cross, we were not sorry. Those who killed him were not sorry.

You seem to forget, Jesus is God. He knows the future.

Here is what happened after Jesus intervened for forgiveness on our behalf:

Luke 23:47** The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God** and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.”
48 When **all the people who had gathered for this spectacle **saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts;

When St Stephen, St Mary Gorretti, Romero, JPII forgave those who has done them harm, those people were not sorry.

As human beings, our obligation to forgive is not dependent on the other person’s remorse.

Furthermore just because I forgive someone a wrong they have committed toward me does not mean they are absolved of their sin.

 

[Peter_J]

I’m not saying the purpose of confession is to get a pass to sin.

I am saying that some people don’t understand the process.

Just like some Protestants mistakenly believe OSAS is a free pass to sin,

some misguided Catholics think confession is a pass to sin.

Exactly ! !

I think we all need to stop taking these cheap shots at each other.

 

[rolltidefan]

Man it gets deeper and deeper everytime I check this board!!!

Ginger2…Obviously as a protestant I think you do bring up some good points. However, if Catholics believe and their sacrament tells them confessing to a priest is something they need to do, then let them do it. No amount of scriptures or anything else you come up with is going to make them see differently. There is nothing wrong with them not seeing differently, I believe they are fellow Christians and are headed for the same goals that you and I are pressing towards as protestants. I completely understand the points they are making as to what their church has taught them. They are not saying the priest is directly giving them a pass to forgiveness. They are just going to him and confessing the sin, as you and I would approach God directly or even a fellow Christian to tell them we wronged them and they tell us that it is okay. Of course I know when we approach someone to apologize, we aren’t doing that because they have the power to erase that sin, only God can do that. So I get what the Catholics on here are saying, even though I don’t approach it that way, I still have to respect their thoughts for it.

Okay on to my next comment. A few has mentioned that a prostestant really doesn’t have that great gift of being able to go to a priest and confess. We may not go to a priest and confess and then are told that we are forgiven. But I don’t remember a single time that I was truly repentent that I knew God hadn’t forgave me. I knew I was truly forgiven. I felt it and I knew it. Just like you probably truly deeply feel it when told by a priest. I know with my church, we have the freedom to approach the alters at anytime when we feel the need to. There have been times that I felt a strong need to get something off me and hand it over to God and I did that. Now, I don’t know, but stepping out in a church of 200 members can be pretty intimidating and I think someone that does that, it is just as intense as going one on one with someone. No I didn’t publically announce what I was going for, but the step was all I need to get to the alter, to confess what it was or to just pray for what I needed. So, again I think we are all going for the same thing here, but in just different ways. There is nothing on either side that diminishes that fact. No matter if we go to a priest and do, we go to the alter, we pray at home or we go directly to someone or etc. I believe in all those cases, God is seeing our heart and we know deep down when we are truly forgiven and also when we do it with the right heart for change.

I see in neither Catholic or in my protestant religion that either gives room for just sinning for the sake of sinning.

God Bless You All