What powers do priests have?

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I know that priest are human and sin like the rest of us. I also know that after hearing a confession they can absolve sins. They can hear wedding vows to make the marriage legitimate and I am assuming have special powers to perform mass.

So where do their powers end? Someone told me that a social worker or psychiatrist can study all they want, only a priests has the power to heal emotions. I found that to be a bit odd. If that was so, wouldn’t everyone just go to a priest and the whole world would be happy. For example, if my leg was broken I would see a medical doctor not a priest.

So exactly what powers do priests have that others don’t?

Thanks

CM

 

[GerardMajella]

Priests in and of themselves have no “power”. If a priest has any gifts, talents, etc., they all originate from God Himself, who has the power to do anything and everything — including healing, changing world events, etc.

The role of a priest is to administer the sacraments of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and to serve as a spiritual leader and adviser to his congregation. He leads Mass, and hears confession. He prays, and often. He visits the poor, sick, and distressed. He is responsible for the spiritual life and direction of his congregation.

 

[Katrina5]

Priests can “heal emotions”?

Priests can perform the sacraments, the most important one being celebrating the Eucharist, changing bread and wine into Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

They have the power to absolve sin.

Some priests do counseling, but not all are good at it.

I know of a person who felt like the Church ruined her life when she was young. She was counseled by a priest and returned to the Church. She said only a priest could have done that, even though her problems were with self esteem and such, no doctor or social worker could have helped her.

 

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Maybe I should be more specific with my question.

This person said that you need to talk about your pain, cry and pray with a priest if you want God’s healing because only priests have the power to bring God’s healing into the situation.

I find that odd. If God wanted to help someone isn’t God free to choose whatever method He wants?

CM