Why must Catholics confess their sins to a priest?

[normanvincent]

The concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. First, the New Testament does not teach that there are to be priests in the New Covenant. Instead, the New Testament teaches that all believers are priests. First Peter 2:5-9 describes believers as a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood.” Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 both describe believers as “a kingdom of priests.” In the Old Covenant, the faithful had to approach God through the priests. The priests were mediators between the people and God. The priests offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. That is no longer necessary. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can now approach God’s throne with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The temple veil tearing in two at Jesus’ death was symbolic of the dividing wall between God and humanity being destroyed. We can approach God directly, ourselves, without the use of a human mediator. Why? Because Jesus Christ is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; 10:21) and the only mediator between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5). The New Testament teaches that there are to be elders (1 Timothy 3), deacons (1 Timothy 3), bishops (Titus 1:6-9), and pastors (Ephesians 4:11) – but not priests.

When it comes to confession of sin, believers are told in 1 John 1:9 to confess their sins to God. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins as we confess them to Him. James 5:16 speaks of confessing our trespasses “to one another,” but this is not the same as confessing sins to a priest as the Roman Catholic Church teaches. Priests / church leaders are nowhere mentioned in the context of James 5:16. Further, James 5:16 does not link forgiveness of sins with the confession of sins “to one another.”

The Roman Catholic Church bases their practice of confession to a priest primarily on Catholic tradition. Catholic do point to John 20:23, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." From this verse, Catholics claim that God gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins, and that authority was passed on to the successors of the apostles, i.e., the bishops and priests of the Roman Catholic Church. There are several problems with this interpretation. (1) John 20:23 nowhere mentions confession of sin. (2) John 20:23 nowhere promises, or even hints, that the authority to forgive sins would be passed on to the successors of the apostles. Jesus’ promise was specifically directed to the apostles. (3) The New Testament nowhere states that the apostles would even have successors to their apostolic authority. Similarly, Catholics point to Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 (binding and loosing) as evidence for the Catholic Church’s authority to forgive sins. The same three above points apply equally to these Scriptures.

Again, the concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. We are to confess our sins to God (1 John 1:9). As New Covenant believers, we do not need mediators between us and God. We can go to God directly because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

 

[bmonk]

Perhaps it means the following:-

Quote:
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

The usual citations are from Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, where first Peter and then all the apostles are given the power to bind and to loose, both on Earth and in Heaven. Also there is John 20:21-23 where Jesus, after the resurrection, sends the disciples (making them Apostles), gives them the Holy Spirit, and gives them the power to forgive sins.

Now, is this power only of use to that first generation? Hardly. We all need to practice forgiveness–it’s a commitment we make every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer. So why would the official Church’s leadership be denied the continuation of the power Jesus himself gave them?

Historically, this sacrament has changed form the most over the history of the Church. One of the Apostolic Fathers, the Shepherd of Hermas, wrote on the need for some forgiveness after baptism. Later, as the public penitentiary became too restrictive and too little used, and as monastics began to hear confessions and offer advice, it developed into the rite of confession as practiced for centuries. Now that that seems to be withering away, it may be time that another transformation happens, or a reform that opens up again the call to repent and be forgiven. But the basic truth is still that we need God’s mercy and forgiveness, both on an informal, individual level, and on a more official, communal level.

 

[bmonk]

Hello, This is my first time posting. Blessings to all. Regarding if we should confess our sins directly to a priest versus directly to God. I believe our First Holy Communion training established a foundation. That is, the priest is the one appointed and anointed one by God to act on his behalf for us. I know many Catholics are now going straight to God with their confessions. But I believe they are adopting some other principle here.

I believe this is what the Holy Catholic Church teaches. Trust me, there are not many young people or even middle age persons at the yearly Penance Service, at the church I attend. But many persons walk up weekly and receive communion. I thought it was a rule that all Catholics go to confession at least ONCE per year. Sorry, but I just can’t go to communion without going to confession on a regular basis. Because I know I’m a sinner, and require constant forgiveness. I even tried to get my children to attend the yearly service; but they took a cavalier approach to the whole concept. Thus they did NOT attend. Again, many Catholics are using this approach, i.e. Going straight to God for their confessions.

Strictly speaking, someone needs to go to confession only when they have serious (or grave) sins to confess–other forms of penitence suffice for venial sins, such as the Penitential Act at Mass, expressing sorrow to those persons harmed by sin, or to God, perhaps prayers or acts of mercy, alms, or asceticism to express our remorse.

However, it is still good to go to confession–and the Church continues to encourage all members to make regular use of this sacrament, because, as you said, “I know I’m a sinner, and require constant forgiveness.”

It may help to pray for your children, and for all who avoid this difficult, unpleasant, but often very helpful and even necessary practice.

 

[TimothyH]

The usual citations are from Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, where first Peter and then all the apostles are given the power to bind and to loose, both on Earth and in Heaven. Also there is John 20:21-23 where Jesus, after the resurrection, sends the disciples (making them Apostles), gives them the Holy Spirit, and gives them the power to forgive sins.

Now, is this power only of use to that first generation? Hardly. We all need to practice forgiveness–it’s a commitment we make every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer. So why would the official Church’s leadership be denied the continuation of the power Jesus himself gave them?

Historically, this sacrament has changed form the most over the history of the Church. One of the Apostolic Fathers, the Shepherd of Hermas, wrote on the need for some forgiveness after baptism. Later, as the public penitentiary became too restrictive and too little used, and as monastics began to hear confessions and offer advice, it developed into the rite of confession as practiced for centuries. Now that that seems to be withering away, it may be time that another transformation happens, or a reform that opens up again the call to repent and be forgiven. But the basic truth is still that we need God’s mercy and forgiveness, both on an informal, individual level, and on a more official, communal level.

Thank you for posting bmonk. It is a pleasure to have you on the forums and I read your posts… er… religiously.

Seriously. Thank you for being here.

-Tim-

 

[Wretched_Man]

x2 on all of the above answers.

Catholics DO speak directly to God. The difference is that Cathoilcs utilize the ordinary means by which Christ chose to forgive us…confession to a Priest (Mt 9:2-8, Jn 20:22-23, 2Cor 5:17-20, James 5:13-16, Mt 18:18, cf. 1Jn 5:16).

As far as what YOU find based on what YOU believe to be a requirement because YOU don’t see it in Scripture: by what authortity do you presume to tell anyone how he should or should not confess his/her sins? Is there anything in Scripture that tells us NOT to confess our sins to one another? Or to NOT go to a Priest? Is there any verse in Scri.pture that says we should ONLY go straigh to God to confess our sins? (Chapters and verse please.)

I think there are several places in scripture that speak of who forgive sins

The question is not of who can we confess our sins to that is clear , one to another…but its the power that is given to priests to think they can absolve sin or something…priests are people and not advocates like Jesus…only he has power to forgive sin
Let’s be biblical now folks…I can however forgive those who sin against me…but no man has the same power to absolve sins like Jesus…why would we need to carry out verses like 1 John then…
… 1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

 

[ahs]

I think there are several places in scripture that speak of who forgive sins

Yes, God does. All forgiveness comes from God, and God alone. The question in this thread evolved around the means through which God chose to do this. We see that most explicitly clear in Jn 20:23 (authority to forgive or withold forgiveness given to the Apostles) and Mt 18:18 (authority to bind and loose WHATEVER given to the Apostles). **Christ gave His Apostles the authority to forgive sins. Although it is Christ doing the forgiving, He is doing it through His ministers whom He has given authority to speak with the very Voice of Christ **(Lk 10:16).

The question is not of who can we confess our sins to that is clear , one to another…but its the power that is given to priests to think they can absolve sin or something

According to the Bible, they can, through the Power of God working through them. I provided the pertinent Scripture passages above, and we see in Scripture that the Priestly office was handed down by the laying on of hands and the apointing of presbyters in the Church. (1Tim 3:1-8, 5:17, 1Tim 4:4, 1Tim 5:22, Acts 14:23, etc…).

…priests are people and not advocates like Jesus…only he has power to forgive sin

Of course they are people. But they have also been handed on an office (as I have shown from Scripture above) which includes the authority, from Christ Himself, to forgive or withold forgiveness of our sins. Do you disagree with Jn 20:23 and Mt 18:18? Is God’s Word wrong there? Do you believe that Christ could not give this authority to men, even though Scripture tells us He gave this authority to men? Why are you saying something that is the opposite of what the Bible says?

Let’s be biblical now folks

Okay, show me the Scritural passage that says that Christ did NOT give authority to men on earth to forgive sins. I already showed the passages where He did.

…I can however forgive those who sin against me…but** no man has the same power to absolve sins like Jesus**

Can you show me the Scriptural passage that says this, since you want to be Biblical? Right now, you are contradicting Scripture. Why do you believe that Jn 20:23 and Mt 18:18 and Lk 10:16 no longer matter? Why do you believe something that is the opposite of what the Bible says?

…why would we need to carry out verses like 1 John then…
… 1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

AMEN!! Why do you believe that this verse means that Christ did not give authority on earth to men to forgive sins? This verse says nothing of the sort. Meanwhile, Mt 9:2-8, Jn 20:22-23, 2Cor 5:17-20, James 5:13-16, Mt 18:18, cf. 1Jn 5:16, etc…tell us the opposite if what you are saying. Why do you believe the opposite of what the Bible says?

*Jn 20:23 “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.””

Mt 18:18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”*

 

[bmonk]

Thank you for posting bmonk. It is a pleasure to have you on the forums and I read your posts… er… religiously.

Seriously. Thank you for being here.

-Tim-

You are most welcome. And thank you for the kind words.
bmonk.
:blushing:

 

[Wretched_Man]

x2 on all of the above answers.

Catholics DO speak directly to God. The difference is that Cathoilcs utilize the ordinary means by which Christ chose to forgive us…confession to a Priest (Mt 9:2-8, Jn 20:22-23, 2Cor 5:17-20, James 5:13-16, Mt 18:18, cf. 1Jn 5:16).

As far as what YOU find based on what YOU believe to be a requirement because YOU don’t see it in Scripture: by what authortity do you presume to tell anyone how he should or should not confess his/her sins? Is there anything in Scripture that tells us NOT to confess our sins to one another? Or to NOT go to a Priest? Is there any verse in Scripture that says we should ONLY go straigh to God to confess our sins? (Chapters and verse please.)

I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment, realizing at the same time that my statement carries very little weight, my being a "Non Roman Catholic.

I had a Roman Catholic friend that used to almost sweat beads of blood if he was going on a plane and had not had the opportunity to confess his sins to a priest. I have never understood why members of the RCC would carry such a weighty burden when the Scriptures (the inspired Word of God) say quite plainly,

I know that it does not identify the person to whom we are to confess, but at the same time it does not say that a priest has to be the recipient of our confession. In any case, we are described in Scripture as follows,

From John Gill:

The following commentary explains it rather well;

An extract from John Gill, Theologian,

Protector.

Yes, God does. All forgiveness comes from God, and God alone. The question in this thread evolved around the means through which God chose to do this. We see that most explicitly clear in Jn 20:23 (authority to forgive or withold forgiveness given to the Apostles) and Mt 18:18 (authority to bind and loose WHATEVER given to the Apostles). **Christ gave His Apostles the authority to forgive sins. Although it is Christ doing the forgiving, He is doing it through His ministers whom He has given authority to speak with the very Voice of Christ **(Lk 10:16).

According to the Bible, they can, through the Power of God working through them. I provided the pertinent Scripture passages above, and we see in Scripture that the Priestly office was handed down by the laying on of hands and the apointing of presbyters in the Church. (1Tim 3:1-8, 5:17, 1Tim 4:4, 1Tim 5:22, Acts 14:23, etc…).

Of course they are people. But they have also been handed on an office (as I have shown from Scripture above) which includes the authority, from Christ Himself, to forgive or withold forgiveness of our sins. Do you disagree with Jn 20:23 and Mt 18:18? Is God’s Word wrong there? Do you believe that Christ could not give this authority to men, even though Scripture tells us He gave this authority to men? Why are you saying something that is the opposite of what the Bible says?

Okay, show me the Scritural passage that says that Christ did NOT give authority to men on earth to forgive sins. I already showed the passages where He did.

Can you show me the Scriptural passage that says this, since you want to be Biblical? Right now, you are contradicting Scripture. Why do you believe that Jn 20:23 and Mt 18:18 and Lk 10:16 no longer matter? Why do you believe something that is the opposite of what the Bible says?

AMEN!! Why do you believe that this verse means that Christ did not give authority on earth to men to forgive sins? This verse says nothing of the sort. Meanwhile, Mt 9:2-8, Jn 20:22-23, 2Cor 5:17-20, James 5:13-16, Mt 18:18, cf. 1Jn 5:16, etc…tell us the opposite if what you are saying. Why do you believe the opposite of what the Bible says?

*Jn 20:23 “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.””

Mt 18:18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”*

I am responding briefly…until I get home…but let me just say that I have never questioned God ordaining men as pastors evangelists prophets teachers etc
…or that He has commissioned us as believers, not just the apostles, but us who believe have been given authority and anointing to carry out the work of the Lord…But there is no where in scripture , outside where you have interpreted John speaking about binding and loosening which if you read in context does not mean actually absolving sin…as only Christ can do through his blood…for if you think that show where and think about what you r implying…a priest can replace Christs sacrifice based on mans decision…how can a man search the heart to absolve a sin.that the man fails to confes…only holy spirit can search the heart and bring people to repentance…only Jesus can cleanse sin when we confess sins…please read context of church protocol where the. Binding and loosening of sin is mentioned it does not imply what you have believed…how much h power and control men would incur…how can a mere man be it priest or deacon bishop or pastor ever as mere men remove sin…give me some verses that supports this thought that a priests can forgive sin…why would john say we go to him and confess our sin
…please support this most important believe among RC.because that verse you use is not saying what you want.t it to say…

 

[Wretched_Man]

Just because catholics believe this , does not make this truth. RCC have been told this through tradition…more than finding it in Gods word…one first speaking of binding and loosening does not conclude mere men have power to absolve sin…in context Matt is speaking about how church business is to be conducted…how to handle men who are refusing to change or repent and men who are repentant …but these verses from context are speaking of the leadership of the church on to handle a sinner…saying your forgiven loosed from what sin you had done because they followed the biblical mandate

…which says…confess your sins and He Jesus is faithful and just to forgive your sins… the church at this point has the authority to restore and invite back or cast out for the destruction of the flesh…its just within the church context of membership belonging to a church…
I have access into the Holy of Hollies to obtain help and bible says there is one mediator bewteen man and God which is the man Christ Jesus…repent and be baptized that your sins may be blotted out that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the lord…

 

[ahs]

I am responding briefly…until I get home…but let me just say that I have never questioned God ordaining men as pastors evangelists prophets teachers etc
…or that He has commissioned us as believers, not just the apostles, but us who believe have been given authority and anointing to carry out the work of the Lord…But there is no where in scripture , outside where you have interpreted John speaking about binding and loosening which if you read in context does not mean actually absolving sin…

Wait, so you are saying that when Christ says, “whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins you retain, they are retained” that He didn’t actually mean what He said?

as only Christ can do through his blood…

Of course only God forgives sins. But SCripture plainly shows us that He chose to do it through the ministry of the Priesthood. Here’s an article about it that shows this from the OT and the NT: daves-ahumbleservant.blogspot.com/2013/06/confession-to-priest-or-going-straight.html

for if you think that show where and think about what you r implying…a priest can replace Christs sacrifice based on mans decision…

How does Christ’s granitng the authority on earth to men to forgive (or retain) sins imply that a man can replace Christ’s sacrifice? I don’t understand how that follows. I clearly see this ministry coming from Christ Himself, made possible only BECAUSE of Christ’s sacrifice. I don’t see where it could replace it.

how can a man search the heart to absolve a sin.that the man fails to confes…only holy spirit can search the heart and bring people to repentance…

I think you just answered your own question. Christ told His Apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them in ALL Truth (Jn 16:13). Surely you are not trying to limit the Holy Spirit in what He can reveal to His Priests in the Sacrament of Reconciliation given to us by Christ Himself?

…only Jesus can cleanse sin when we confess sins…

Amen! And He, CHRIST, has chosen to do this through the ministry of His Priesthood through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that Scripture tells us He gave us. You seem to be seeing a false dichotomy…and “either/or”, where there is not one. Christ establishing Reconciliation and the forgiveness (or retention) of sins through His Priests does not diminish Christ’s Work on the cross…it stems from it and fully brings us to that sacrifice.

…please read context of church protocol where the. Binding and loosening of sin is mentioned it does not imply what you have believed…how much h power and control men would incur…how can a mere man be it priest or deacon bishop or pastor ever as mere men remove sin…

I’ve read it, along with the Scriptures. It seems to me that you don’t actually know what the Church teaches about confession. You are under teh mistaken notion that the Priest forgives sin by his own power, right? This is not the case, as I have clarified already. Are you ignoring what I have explained? Are you actually interested in understanding what Catholics really believe, or do you just want to misrepresent us?

…give me some verses that supports this thought that a priests can forgive sin…

I did, at least twice now. But you are trying to interpret the Church as thinking that the Priest does this of his own accord. I have explained that this isn’t the case. You don’t seem to be interested in hearing what Catholics actually believe though…you only want to misrepresent our beliefs, right?

…why would john say we go to him and confess our sin

What verse are you talking about? And why do you believe that being told to confess our sins to someone (even to Christ) means we should NOT go to a Priest? Nowhere does Scripture say that we should go to God ALONE and to ONLY God. SCripture shows us over and over that we should confess to each other and that Christ has given MEN the authority on earth to fogive sins. Christ’s very own Words EXPLICITLY tell us this (passages provided at least twice already). Why are you rejecting Christ’s Words? Why do you want me to reject Christ’s Words?

…please support this most important believe among RC.because that verse you use is not saying what you want.t it to say…

Which of the several verses that I provided are you talking about? Please show it to me.

 

[ahs]

…one first speaking of binding and loosening does not conclude mere men have power to absolve sin…

Actually, that’s exactly what it says in Jn 20:23. And are you astonished that Christ gave men authority to forgive sins? So were the Scribes when they balked in Mark 2:7, the same story which is related in Mt 9:2-8. The Scribes were right that only God can forgive sins, just as you are saying, and just as Catholics teach. But their objection to men forgiving sins stems from a limited understanding of HOW God forgives and through whom He does it. Your understanding is the same as the Scribes. You may as well be rebuking Christ for telling His Apostles that they could forgive or retain sins. These are Christ’s very Words…“whose sins you forgive are forgiven…whose sins you retain are retained…”

…in context Matt is speaking about how church business is to be conducted…how to handle men who are refusing to change or repent and men who are repentant …but these verses from context are speaking of the leadership of the church on to handle a sinner…

So Christ’s use of the word “whatever” or “whatsoever” doesn’t actually mean “whatever” or “whatsoever”? Can you explain to me why you believe that? And since we are being Biblical, please show me where in Scripture it says that Christ doesn’t acutally mean what He says in that verse.

…saying your forgiven loosed from what sin you had done because they followed the biblical mandate

…which says…confess your sins and He Jesus is faithful and just to forgive your sins… the church at this point has the authority to restore and invite back or cast out for the destruction of the flesh…its just within the church context of membership belonging to a church…

Is this your infallible explanation, or is there a chance you could be wrong about this? The Scriptures don’t say anyhing like what you just explained…it is nowhere in the Bible. You just made that up (or someone else told it to you). So, why should I accept your fallible interpretation of that passage when the Bible clearly tells me something different? By what authority do you presume to teach me the Scriptures?

I have access into the Holy of Hollies to obtain help and bible says there is one mediator bewteen man and God which is the man Christ Jesus…repent and be baptized that your sins may be blotted out that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the lord…

Me TOO!! And Amen to Christ as our One Mediator. We also know that Christ has chosen to share His Priestly minitry with us through His Priests (as we clearly see in Scripture). And He has chosen to share His Mediatorship with us by allowing us to pray for one another and ask others to pray for us (as we see many times in Scritpure). And He has chosen to share His healing power with us as well, as we also see in Scripture. I think you have been taught a false dichotomy, an “either/or”, where there is not really one.

 

[Wretched_Man]

Please back up your basis for belief with any other scripture that supports the priest or pastor that they can actually forgive sins…please just one more verse supporting they can or have forgiven sins.
…never will you find in any of peter or Paula writings much less the old testament…

 

[ahs]

Please back up your basis for belief with any other scripture that supports the priest or pastor that they can actually forgive sins…please just one more verse supporting they can or have forgiven sins.
…never will you find in any of peter or Paula writings much less the old testament…

“One more?” How many are required for something to be Biblical (and please provide the Scripture passage that affrims this number.)?

I have provided one in particular 3 times now (and several others at least twice). Maybe you don’t think it means what it says?

So, let me have YOU explain to me why Christ did not mean what He said here:

"Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20:21-23)

So, why do you believe that Christ didn’t really mean what He said here?

And since you are requiring a Biblical passage for evidence of my beliefs, please provide for me the Scriptural passage that says that God did NOT give authority to men to forgive or retain sins…chapter and verse please. If you are not able to provide such a verse, then I would ask you at the very least to admit that YOUR view has no more Scriptural basis than mine (even though mine is explicitly stated by Christ Himself).

 

[Wretched_Man]

Please back up your basis for belief with any other scripture that supports the priest or pastor that they can actually forgive sins…please just one more verse supporting they can or have forgiven sins.
…never will you find in any of peter or Paula writings much less the old testament…

 

[ahs]

Please back up your basis for belief with any other scripture that supports the priest or pastor that they can actually forgive sins…please just one more verse supporting they can or have forgiven sins.
…never will you find in any of peter or Paula writings much less the old testament…

Right, you just said that, and I just responded to it. I said:

“One more?” How many are required for something to be Biblical (and please provide the Scripture passage that affrims this number.)?

I have provided one in particular 3 times now (and several others at least twice). Maybe you don’t think it means what it says?

So, let me have YOU explain to me why Christ did not mean what He said here:

"Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20:21-23)

So, why do you believe that Christ didn’t really mean what He said here?

And since you are requiring a Biblical passage for evidence of my beliefs, please provide for me the Scriptural passage that says that God did NOT give authority to men to forgive or retain sins…chapter and verse please. If you are not able to provide such a verse, then I would ask you at the very least to admit that YOUR view has no more Scriptural basis than mine (even though mine is explicitly stated by Christ Himself).

The fact that you didn’t acknowledge my response at all, nor address any of the questions I asked, tells me that you are not interested in discussing it, rather you just want to talk at me and expect me to renounce Christ’s Word because you don’t think Christ meant what He said. Is this a fair assesment? If it’s not, then please address my questions and my post above.

 

[Wretched_Man]

Before you draw such conclusions that I am avoiding you consider that I could be busy working

…which is the case , so please bare with me

…thank you Rkb*

 

[ahs]

Before you draw such conclusions that I am avoiding you consider that I could be busy working

…which is the case , so please bare with me

…thank you Rkb*

That’s why I asked if it was a fair assesment. To avoid drawing my own conclusion, I asked you to clarify my understanding. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[Gorgias]

Please back up your basis for belief with any other scripture that supports the priest or pastor that they can actually forgive sins…please just one more verse supporting they can or have forgiven sins.
…never will you find in any of peter or Paula writings much less the old testament…

I’m confused. Are you saying that the only authoritative Scripture that we have is found in the letters of Peter and of Paul? That, when we quote John 20:23, that’s not a reasonable place to find the clear teaching, in Jesus’ own words, that He gave the proxy of his power to forgive sins to the apostles themselves?

 

[glendab]

Hello B Monk.

Strictly speaking, someone needs to go to confession only when they have serious (or grave) sins to confess–other forms of penitence suffice for venial sins, such as the Penitential Act at Mass, expressing sorrow to those persons harmed by sin, or to God, perhaps prayers or acts of mercy, alms, or asceticism to express our remorse.

However, it is still good to go to confession–and the Church continues to encourage all members to make regular use of this sacrament, because, as you said, “I know I’m a sinner, and require constant forgiveness.”

It may help to pray for your children, and for all who avoid this difficult, unpleasant, but often very helpful and even necessary practice.

I have a problem with the “only” in your reply. If a person were to ONLY go to the Sacrament of Confession when he or she committed a mortal sin he or she was sure was mortal, then how exactly would they gain the grace necessary for the struggle against all of their sins? I mean if a person never confessed any venial sins how can God remove the punishment due them? All sin is wrong doing. That is Scripture. I think those who encourage persons to ONLY go to Confession when guilty of mortal sin are minimalizing their practice and think others should join them in dismissing venial sins. If one hasn’t any mortal sins in a while, isn’t it time to at least start working on the venial stuff too? I mean after all ONLY those who are perfect get into Heaven.

We as Catholics are called to perfection, not merely to be good enough to get out of Hell.

I think the door to the Confessional is the gate of Heaven and those who seek it see the abiding wisdom of using it.

Minimalism. It isn’t wise.

Glenda

 

[Gorgias]

If a person were to ONLY go to the Sacrament of Confession when he or she committed a mortal sin he or she was sure was mortal, then how exactly would they gain the grace necessary for the struggle against all of their sins?

Through reception of the Eucharist, and through participation in the Mass, and through prayer.

If one hasn’t any mortal sins in a while, isn’t it time to at least start working on the venial stuff too?

Absolutely! And participation in Mass and reception of Eucharist is precisely one of the means of “working on the venial stuff”! (Not that going to confession isn’t, mind you… )