Many people come to their priest to get thier sins forgiven.Why does this MAN have this sort of power?Why can we not just confess sins to God privately?
I mean no disrespect by asking this question.I have just never been able to grasp this concept.
2006-10-25 09:18:23 · 11 answers · asked by Myaloo 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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.
2006-10-25 17:16:20 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's an invention of the Catholic Church, they take select verses from the Bible to justify this requirement when the Bible makes no claims in the New Testament that any man is necessary for forgiveness, in fact it says that Jesus Himself is our Great High Priest (Hebrews).
As a side note, the concept was invented for the consilidation of power by the Roman Catholic Church in order to force their agenda on the kingdom's of this world. The requirement that a priest forgive your sins forced people to either "bow" to the Catholic leadership or face excommunication and thus an eternity in hell (as you're sins supposedly wouldn't be forgiven except by a Catholic priest). The lack of translated Bibles and the reading of mass only in Latin made it easy to keep early believers in the dark.
2006-10-25 16:20:40 · answer #2 · answered by berg 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hierarchy of authority in the catholic tradition dictates that a priest forgives sins and distributes penance and blesses the wine and bread so that it actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. So, communion in a protestant church may make you spend time in purgatory a while. [at least some catholics believe this way]
2006-10-25 16:28:53 · answer #3 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to think it was stupid to tell a priest my sins. I have since worked a 12 step program for alcoholism were I admitted all my wrongs to another person. I learned that telling another person makes you accountable to others, you can't hold all your **** to yourself it is a major relief. If you don't like priests, find someone you trust and spill your guts, it will free you.
2006-10-25 16:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by Speed Of Thought 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the priest can only forgive sin through the power of the holy spirit and is gods vicar on earth
2006-10-25 19:02:11 · answer #5 · answered by t.i.m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are capable of confessing their sins directly to God, and if their disposition and subsequent repentance are both proper and acceptable, God will forgive.
That brings us to the other 95% of sinful humanity who think that simply saying your sorry to God will do it ... and it won't.
Jesus personally empowered the apostles and their successors to sacramentally act in his name to evaluate both the sin and the sinner, to teach, counsel, absolve, and to sanctify, for the sinner's express benefit, and for the benefit of the whole church.
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.
Without this professional clerical assistance, confused sinners are often lost in their inequities, never to return.
2006-10-25 18:30:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
interestingly at Matt.23:9 Christ says"Moreover,DO NOT call
anyone your father on earth,for one is your father,the HEAVENLY
ONE. This is refering of course to earthling men taking on the role
of a forgiver of sins.The catholic church has some 400,000 of
these (fathers.) The almighty God and his only begotten son,Christ
Jesus have the authority to forgive sins.No one else.
2006-10-25 17:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by OldGeezer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it was a method for the Catholic church to have tabs on their people.
Yes you can go privately to the Lord. He's the only mediator between you and God and the only one who can forgive and grant you entrance into heaven.
2006-10-25 16:24:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have this power because Jesus gave it to them. Try reading John 20:23
2006-10-25 17:36:41 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey you got it keep thinking and you may become more human and not a brain washed religious zombie.
2006-10-25 16:22:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋