Who forgives our sins?

[Annie_B]

Could you please clarify for me who actually forgives our sins? A priest told me that it was God who forgives and a priest who absolves. I have heard the opinion recently that it is the priest who forgives. This is getting me confused…

Thanks!
Annie

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Jesus gave His priests the power to forgive sins. So the priest does forgive the sins. But in absolving the person’s sins the priest is offering Christ’s forgiveness–not his own.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.