Why do we confess to a priest?

[Kristina_Nelson]

I am a Catholic, and have confessed many times in my life. I have a fiance who is Lutheran who said if he converted that would be one thing he would struggle doing is reconciliation. He had asked me why we confess to a priest when God is the one who is forgiving us. I didn’t know how to answer him because even though I have confessed and grew up Catholic, I don’t think I fully understand why either. So my question is: Why do we confess our sins to a priest?

I want to give him the right answer, so please help me come up with an explanation. I want to learn as well because, as I said, I don’t think I fully understand why.

Thank you,
Kristina

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

Kristina,

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching regarding confessing to God in the presence of a priest. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.

**Recommended Reading:
**

• Confession
• [The Fathers Know Best: Confessing to a Priest (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0005fea4.asp)
• [** The Forgiveness of Sins** (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0005fea4.asp)
• God Is too Hot to Handle: Protestant Misconceptions about Confession by Jason Shanks
• **A Confession to Make **by Tim Staples

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