Why do Catholics believe in confessing their sins to a priest?

Question

I'm not in any way condemning the practice. I'm just trying to learn. Is this practice mentioned in the Bible? What is the benefit of it? Have you been helped by the practice personally?

Also, can a Catholic confess directly to Jesus or God?

Answer 1

The Necessity and Practice of Orally Confessing Sins

James 5:16 - James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church. Hence, when James says “therefore” in verse 16, he must be referring to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 – these men are the ordained priests of the Church, to whom we must confess our sins.

Acts 19:18 - many came to orally confess sins and divulge their sinful practices. Oral confession was the practice of the early Church just as it is today.

Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5 - again, this shows people confessing their sins before others as an historical practice (here to John the Baptist).

1 Tim. 6:12 - this verse also refers to the historical practice of confessing both faith and sins in the presence of many witnesses.

1 John 1:9 - if we confess are sins, God is faithful to us and forgives us and cleanse us. But we must confess our sins to one another.

Num. 5:7 - this shows the historical practice of publicly confessing sins, and making public restitution.

2 Sam. 12:14 - even though the sin is forgiven, there is punishment due for the forgiven sin. David is forgiven but his child was still taken (the consequence of his sin).

Neh. 9:2-3 - the Israelites stood before the assembly and confessed sins publicly and interceded for each other.

Sir. 4:26 - God tells us not to be ashamed to confess our sins, and not to try to stop the current of a river. Anyone who has experienced the sacrament of reconciliation understands the import of this verse.

Baruch 1:14 - again, this shows that the people made confession in the house of the Lord, before the assembly.

1 John 5:16-17; Luke 12:47-48 - there is a distinction between mortal and venial sins. This has been the teaching of the Catholic Church for 2,000 years, but, today, most Protestants no longer agree that there is such a distinction. Mortal sins lead to death and must be absolved in the sacrament of reconciliation. Venial sins do not have to be confessed to a priest, but the pious Catholic practice is to do so in order to advance in our journey to holiness.

Matt. 5:19 - Jesus teaches that breaking the least of commandments is venial sin (the person is still saved but is least in the kingdom), versus mortal sin (the person is not saved).

Answer 2

>>Why do Catholics believe in confessing their sins to a priest?

Because Jesus historically ordained it and wants all Christians to follow his Biblical instructions: John 20:19-23.
Note in this passage, he was talking to the 12 Apostles.

But we have to step back and ask why a priest?

Because Our Blessed Lord has called certain men to service in His One True Catholic Church, as "other Jesus' ". After our High Priest, Jesus, the 12 apostles were the first to receive this calling.

On the outside it may seem like we are confessing to a priest, but through the sacrament of Holy Orders, a special character is put on the soul of the ordained man. Through Holy Orders, Jesus acts "through the priest" to forgive sins.

No man on his own can forgive sins. Only a priest who has been validly ordained a priest can allow Jesus to forgive his sins using the priest's body, mouth, hands and words.

Jesus uses the ordained man's body to administer and distribute graces from Heaven to us here on earth. He does this through all seven sacraments of the Church he historically founded on St. Peter Matt 16:13-20; 1 Tim 3:15

This also will clarify why the Church can never ordain a woman a priest. Why? Because Jesus was A MAN, not a woman.

Here is a similar question we have answered on our web site:

http://www.cpats.org/CPATSAnswerDirectory/Answers_to_Questions/2000_11NovemberQuestions/2000NovOnlyGodCanForgive.cfm

If there are any other questions you have, don't hesitate to ask us on our web site. We have been clarify teachings and correct misperceptions on the web about the only True Church Our Blessed Lord Jesus established on St. Peter for 10 years now!

On the Church today --- In the Catholic Church we always have to separate Divine Teachings in the Catholic Church which are protected by the Holy Spirit from changing AND bad behavior of priest and bishops. The sacraments act and transmit graces even through a priest who is behaving badly. Sooo go to a priest and receive the blessing of Jesus!

Mike Humphrey
Catholic Apologist (Apologist means someone who gives a defense for the Roman Catholic faith and good reasons to become a Catholic)
[e-mail]

Answer 3

Christ gave his disciples the authority to drive out demons and forgive sins. He specifically told them: "Whatever sins you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever sins you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The Sacrament of Confession was a gift from God. We can simply tell God that we have sinned and we are sorry but people in general (myself included) have a hard time forgiving themselves. I tell God that I'm sorry for my sin but I still dwell on that failure. God knows that we have this problem and so gave us this gift. Something very real and finite happens when the priest says "Your sins have been absolved." Confession is not a requirement but an extremely practical gift. The Catholic Priesthood is directly descended from the original twelve disciples and so have the power to forgive or bind sins. We have the choice to go to confession or not, but I for one will not reject any gift Christ offers, especially if it makes my life easier. Just my two cents.

P.S. I really appreciate the way this question was asked. You are simply trying to find information. I see all these answers full of hatred and it breaks my heart. It's no wonder Islam will pass Christianity in popularity in a few years and so many people are turning from the Church. We are so busy hating each other that we don't have time to love Christ anymore. Just something to think about.

Answer 4

The Roman Catholic Church is based on pagan practices that date before Christ. This is where they get the origin of confessing to a priest.

True Christians need to do no such thing. They can simply go directly to Jesus in prayer and ask for forgiveness. For some info on biblical Christianity I recommend the website...

www.a-voice.org

I know that my comments are going to be highly controversial, especially with catholics, but give the above website a check and read/study your bible yourself.

Rabach

Answer 5

Catholics read books other than the Bible called Missles. Catholics are taught certain religious rituals. Confessing to a Priest is one of them.
Now that I am over 50 and have read the Bible several times in my life and I study the Bible almost nightly, I know that God knows our thoughts and what is in our hearts. If I sin, I pray for forgiveness and know that God will forgive me. Jesus died for all of our sins, but we must repent. God answers my prayers very quickly.

Answer 6

Because Jesus set it up exactly that way.

Joh 20:19 Now when it was late the same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them: Peace be to you.
Joh 20:20 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.
Joh 20:21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.
Joh 20:22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
Joh 20:23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

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The standard is fairly simple. Serious (mortal) sins need to be confessed to a priest. Minor sins can be handled by simply asking God's pardon in prayer.

God forgives sins only when we are truly sorry and we have a firm purpose of ammendment.

Acts 3:19 Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.

Unless these standards are met, one's sins are typically, not forgiven.

How many of those who claim to be able to go directly to God for forgiveness of sins, actually understand God's specific requirements?

The Catholic sacrament of reconciliation offers grace, peace, certain absolution, and good counsel, to the sinner. This is exactly what many people with guilty consciences desperately need. And it's absolutely free.

Additionally, due the power of this God-ordained sacrament, the standards for personal contrition are minimal. Sorrow for sins due mainly to a fear of hell, and a firm intention to avoid the sin in future, is usually sufficient.

Christians who mistakenly look to the bible for all things, forget that Jesus established his church long before any new testament scripture was ever written, and that the church, not the bible, is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

God's spoken word is just as authoratative as his inspired, written word.

The scripture passage shows that the apostles received authority and guidance on this matter directly from the risen Christ. Church Tradition tells us that the apostles passed this authority and knowledge along to their successors. The process continues, right up to the present day.

There's no mystery or ambiguity here. This is a solid scripture passage, backed up by the constant practice and teaching of the church, from the earliest days.

In fact, until the 15th century, no one seriously called it into question.

Protestants deny the need for confession to a priest, mainly because they deny the need for priests, altogether!

A thorough, unbiased study of the matter will reveal a solid foundation in both scripture and Tradition, that the practice was instituted personally by Jesus Christ, and that it was constantly and consistently practiced throughout the life of the church, for the eternal benefit of many millions of souls.

The benefit gained is the absolute certainty that your sins are indeed forgiven, and that the "slate" (your conscience) has been wiped clean.

The practice is indespensible when near, or in imminent danger of death, or when the depth or depravity of one's sins is phsychologically overwhelming.

For more information go to www.askmeaboutgod.org and receive a complete, correct, absolutely free answer to your question via email, in about one day.

Answer 7

Yes, Confession is in the Bible(The Gospel according to St. John, chapter 20, verse 23).

Going to regular Confession is just like seeking help from a counsellor or a doctor, etc. It is very beneficial to confess one's sins to a priest, as it helps one to examine their own conscience, & thus try to become a better individual.

Answer 8

Every man looking for balance in his life must understand that he has a SOUL and that soul is a different entity from his mind or body but at the same time in contact with them... Catholics can confess directly to GOD but they will be very arrogant to do so. If they do it, this means that they are considering themselves very close to GOD. And what will be the penance ? they will cry, they will fast or they will pray ? how much time ? they will help the poor ? Is their sin Venial, mortal ,or capital ? they need to serve the community as penance for a day, a week or a year? Beleive me if we are going to decide the penance ourselves everyone of us will not do more than saying to GOD : forgive me GOD , i will not do this again... and that's it ...
to know more about wher the catholic church stands on this issue go to http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4E.HTM


As u know, sins kill our souls. And they become a burden on our minds and bodies. Confessing is very effective. In fact modern psychology is using the same practice. If we keep our sins inside of us in secret they kill our souls and hapinness. Let them out, tell someone you trust about them, like GOD directly or with the help of a father or a psychologue. But someone you trust... if not you will be in jail the same night.

Answer 9

Going to a priest is like going to a Doctor. When you go to a Doctor, he examines you, and then he gives you treatment. So, is a Catholic priest, when he hears a confession of a soul, he decides what would be the "treatment" so as to bring back the soul to a state of grace. A Catholic priest is better, because he has been chosen by Christ, our Lord, Himself and We Trust in our Lord.

Answer 10

Catholics may have their way to repent..but it is very common in every religion to confess in front of their bishop, pastor or leader in order to start the repentance process because some churches require it as part of the way to feel sorrow and admit they made a mistake..they need to know if said sin will effect their place in the Church..some churches have administrative practices for serious sins...ie adultery, murder, sex before marriage, etc..