How do Catholics justify confessing sins to a priest?

Question

nondescript.... how is it not that much different? Doing it in private vs. to a priest. It's very different. When a Catholic confesses to a priest, it's as if the priest has some sort of power other than just being another man (when he does not!). It puts him on a different level. Why can't Catholics just pray to God/Jesus? Why do they have to go in some box and talk to some guy who studied to be in a position in the hierarchy?

This is not at all similar to prarying directly to the Lord and I don't know where you get the whacked out idea that they're the same.

jasonlai73, I appreciate your tone, that you honestly believe what you're saying.. but can you give any biblical support for it? Meaning where God created this system of priests who have the "power" to bring God in their presence and to decide which sins to forgive? Isn't God always in our presence? Where does it say some guy with a goofy outfit is the only one who can bring God around for this purpose?

in response to commenter "imacatholic2" who said:
"The Catholic Church believes that "Only God forgives sin."

First of all, that conflicts with what other Catholics are saying... but it conflicts with common sense when we know that Catholics confess their sins to a priest. What purpose does kneeling before a MAN serve when he is outside of the equation? Catholics, just please think about what you're doing and don't just follow blindly what you've been taught since babies. I know there are a bunch of spun explanations for all the rituals, but try reading them and reconciling it with the truth of what scripture says.

Answer 1

That is all a power thing. The Catholic religion is the only one where you are supposed to confess to a priest. All others have you confess to the lord directly in prayer.

So why do they want to hear the dirt on you?
Because it gives them power over you. Plus I am certain that they all go back and (amongst themselves) gossip like old ladies...

Answer 2

The same way any religion justifies anything. Most religions have a "holy" book. The book is usually one written a long time ago and is vague enough that you can interpret it in many ways.

In the case of Catholicism, this book is the Bible. The Bible has been one of the most widely interpretted religious books. The Catholics tend to follow James more, and the Protestants tend to follow Paul more, but they both tend to cherry pick the verses they think important, "reinterpret" some to be what they want them to say, and ignore the rest.

Since there is no real "god" telling any of them differently, the various religions promote leaders to speak for them. In the case of Catholicism, there is a whole heirarchy with the Pope being at the top. It is through this heirarchy that specific rules, such as "confessing sins" come about. Protestants have similar leadership heirarchies, but tend to rely more on specific charasmatic people in the group or various councils rather than a single central person. They also believe in "confessing sins", but do so in private rather than to a person. It's not really much difference, if you think about it.

Answer 3

As the bible says, the Lord himself has given his apostles to forgive or retains sins and this is where the sacrament of confession comes in.

When a baptised Catholic goes for confession, he knee before the priest and states his sins clearly but not lengthly in details.

The priest, with the Lord in their present will decide to forgive (on behalf of God himself) or so. Once absolution (forgiveness) is given, the priest will give him a penance (it could it a simple Our father prayer, Hail Mary or for some serious sins a Full decade of Rosary). This is vital if so he will have to pay for his sins in purgatory and that is awful.

Priests are not allow to disclose the details of the sins to another person, failing which he has to answer to god when he meets Him after death. They knew the seriousness of this and I doubt they dare t do it.

Are there any sins that are so grievious that God will not forgive. No, as long as he is repentful and humble before God, he could always seek for God forgiven. This is related to Saint Faustina in the 1930s by the Lord himself and He wanted the nun to tell the world that God desires Mercy and he would pardon the most grieveous sins. His words are recorded in the . In fact the Feast of Divine Mercy is established for this cause as desired by the Lord himself.

It is sad however these days alot of Catholic rarely goes for Confession, let alone the Christians. Hope this info help.

Answer 4

I have often wondered this to as the Bible says there is one mediator between us and God and that is Christ. There are allot of things that the Catholics do different, baptism of children, is another one, no where in the Bible were children sprinkled. And baptism is by full immersion, If they were encouraged to read their Bibles they would learn alot more rather than depending on the priest to tell them what the Bible says. Good Question by the way.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church believes that "Only God forgives sin."

When a penitent person asks God for forgiveness, his (or her) sins are immediately forgiven.

Catholics also believe that when someone sins they not only hurt their relationship with God, they also injure the entire church, the body of Christ.

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation with a priest ordained in the name Jesus Christ not only reconciles the sinner to God but with the entire church, including you and me.

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

The priests always have something on everyone that way so they've got the congregation in their power, they don't have to spill all the beans to let the cat out of the bag should they wish...

It's all about getting the goods on people and making them pay for your silence probably.

Does it say somewhere in the Bible that you should go tell a priest all your personal stuff?

Answer 7

Catholics confess to god apparently.Its a bit like talking on a phone.the priest is only the medium.

Answer 8

I'm not Catholic, but my aunt was. They must teach that only the priest can pray to God.

Answer 9

because PETER was given the authority to remit or retain sins.

But there's no bloody catholic priest who can come anywhere near PETER.