Why do we need to confess our sins to a priest?

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John 20: 21-23:

[21]He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. [23] Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

[23] “Whose sins”: See here the commission, stamped by the broad seal of heaven, by virtue of which the pastors of Christ’s church absolve repenting sinners upon their confession.

(Douay-Rheims Bible)
 
Anna4 said:
As for penance I realize many people go off scot free. I actually have a rigorous spiritual life and take purification and my spiritual growth seriously.
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I haven’t read the entire thread so I hope I don’t repeat anything or annoy you. But one of the main reasons for confessing to a priest is that of solidarity. Two are stronger than one. Also, a priest is bound to keep your confession between you and him - that’s an important part from a practical standpoint. There’s more of course, but that’s a good start AFAIC.
 
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To counter, God is inseparable. Jesus cannot forgive without the express presence and knowledge of both Father and Holy Spirit. It is through the power and working of the Holy Spirit that our sins are destroyed. The mystery of the Godhead.

There are exceptions to every rule, and while confession is the normative means of absolution, confessing to the Father immediately upon realizing sin is also efficacious. But God desires that we live in peace, hearing the words of absolution.
 
My doctor just told me I need to exercise more, and visit him twice a year. So in response, I’m going to think about exercising more, and then I’m going to ignore anything he prescribes. Doesn’t work, does it?

Jesus is the spiritual physician. He has prescribed for us a way of being both forgiven and healed. To do so, we must not simply have silent contrition. We need to name the sin out loud so that another can hear it. James, who may have been kin to Jesus and who was the first bishop of Jerusalem, wrote in his Scriptural letter, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” - Js 5:16

The priest shares in the high priesthood of Jesus Christ. If you want forgiveness and you want healing, you need to see the one who can offer the sacramental absolution that Jesus offered. Silent contrition cannot do that.

Also, when you name your sin - out loud, you gain control over it. It no longer controls you. You’ve exposed it to the light. When that act is done in the confessional, it constitutes a offering made to God in the presence of the priest, and a priest is the only one who can make an offering into a sacramental sacrifice. Go to confessional. You’ll be glad you did.
 
This is a really good response & I’m asking because you seem really, really knowledgeable. Since I’m not confirmed and I’m not allowed to go to Confession yet, am I not forgiven of any of my sins until I can go to my first next year? I’ve committed mortal sin in the past before I came to the Church but I knew that Christians weren’t supposed to do those things even though I wasn’t a Christian myself.
 
I’m not confirmed, so I guess I could go but it’s usually looked down on in my university parish if you do. Also, the sins wouldn’t really be absolved, so I don’t know why I would regardless. I feel like I’m supposed to wait until I get confirmed next year so that God’s grace is more of a reward that I finally earned. (I have a countdown app on my phone, currently 12 months, 24 days, 12 hours, 37 minutes, and 25 seconds until confirmation to be exact haha)
 
If it makes you feel better, the priest goes to confession also. He goes to another priest and confesses regularly. Priests are human and of course, they also do sin. Perhaps he snapped at his mother out of worry and impatience. Maybe he masturbated. Maybe he told a lie to get out of a social engagement or to get off a call that was going on too long. Maybe he was imprudent with his money or is guilty of chronic gluttony. If so, that priest must go to confession before he next serves mass. I have priest friends who have standing appointments with their spiritual advisors which always include time for confession if needed.

Priests are servants both to God and to the community and are not above you in confession. They are passing on God’s forgiveness as an act of service to God and mercy to you and I. Based on their education they share appropriate advice to help us, not to judge us
 
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The reason we need to confess our sins to Father is due to us needing spiritual medicine from the grace thats bestowed on the priest through the sacrament of Holy Orders, “In persona Christi”

The priest helps us to amend the damage caused by our sinful ways. We then begin to repair the damage with our penance assigned to us.

We are so lucky to have the sacrament of reconciliation, lets all try to use this more often.

God bless
 
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