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The following is in the Catholic Encyclopedia. I am posting this for two reasons. One reason is that the non-Catholics can learn the truth, and the second reason is that we Catholics need a reminder once in a while. I would be interested to know if you dont agree with the following.
No Catholic believes that a priest simply as an individual man, however pious or learned, has power to forgive sins. This power belongs to God alone; but He can and does exercise it through the ministration of men. Since He has seen fit to exercise it by means of this sacrament, it cannot be said that the Church or the priest interferes between the soul and God; on the contrary, penance is the removal of the one obstacle that keeps the soul away from God.
It is not true that for the Catholic the mere “telling of one’s sins” suffices to obtain their forgiveness. Without sincere sorrow and purpose of amendment, confession avails nothing, the pronouncement of absolution is of no effect, and the guilt of the sinner is greater than before.
For you long-time Catholics. Read the last sentance from the above again. Notice Absolution has no effect if we are not sincerely sorry. How do you know that you are sincerely sorry for all your sins?
No Catholic believes that a priest simply as an individual man, however pious or learned, has power to forgive sins. This power belongs to God alone; but He can and does exercise it through the ministration of men. Since He has seen fit to exercise it by means of this sacrament, it cannot be said that the Church or the priest interferes between the soul and God; on the contrary, penance is the removal of the one obstacle that keeps the soul away from God.
It is not true that for the Catholic the mere “telling of one’s sins” suffices to obtain their forgiveness. Without sincere sorrow and purpose of amendment, confession avails nothing, the pronouncement of absolution is of no effect, and the guilt of the sinner is greater than before.
For you long-time Catholics. Read the last sentance from the above again. Notice Absolution has no effect if we are not sincerely sorry. How do you know that you are sincerely sorry for all your sins?
