Can someone help explain why Catholics confess to priests, rather than, confess to God privately? I know it is a sacrement, however, I'm looking for a better answer.
2006-12-14 15:44:27 · 19 answers · asked by Garry 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus gave the authority to His Disciples, and to us (Priests) by the laying on of hands by a Bishop in that same Apostolic Succession
2006-12-14 15:47:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When did the modern practice of confession begin?
Religion in the Medieval West states:"A new form of penance was introduced in France in the late sixth century by Celtic monks......This was auricular confession,in which the penitent confessed his sins privately to a priest,and it was an adaption of the monastic practice of spiritual couselling."According to the older monastic practice,the monks confessed their sins to one another to get spiritual help in order to overcome their weaknesses.In newer auricular confession,however,the church claimed for the priest the much greater "power" or authority to forgive sins". - New Catholic Encyclopedia.
2006-12-14 16:42:23 · answer #2 · answered by lillie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't confess "to priests". We confess to God through the ministry of the priest, a ministry Jesus Christ empowered them to provide when He breathed upon them and told them "whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them". Just what do Protestants think this verse means, anyway? It's pretty straightforward.
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2006-12-14 16:13:01 · answer #3 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yea good question, but it is because priests are a way to communicate to god thro them..but i believe to talk to god in private. it also has been said that when you go to a priest and ask for forgiveness then you will really be forgiven.
2006-12-14 15:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by ♥!BabyDoLL!♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is considered a sacrament. A privlage to confess your sins to a priest. I was born into the catholic faith, the school the whole bit. But know as a adult iI don't practice that faith anymore. There is alot wrong with it.
2006-12-14 15:49:09 · answer #5 · answered by eca1094 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
We Don't. All christians are priests and our confessions are to be made in the name of Jesus Christ to God the Father only.
2006-12-14 15:47:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is no place in the Bible where people went and confessed their sins to a priest.
2006-12-14 15:47:04 · answer #7 · answered by tas211 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the messiah said that no one on earth should be called father, only he who is in heaven, u do not have to confess to another man about ur sins only to YAHWEH, no man can forgive u for ur sins only YAH can do that, if it were so easy then i can forgive u of ur sins, that is the biggest BS i have ever heard of , read ur bible my brother, there is nowhere in the bible that says a man can save ur soul, confess to YAH and no one else. SHALOM
2006-12-14 15:53:56 · answer #8 · answered by soldierofyah7 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it is a Catholic tradition started by men like most of their other traditions - infant baptism, celibacy, nuns, praying to saints, applying Godhood to Mary, wearing high hats, clicking rosary beads, sprinkling holy water on things, etc. None of this is in the Bible, but continues as Catholic traditions and doctrine.
2006-12-14 15:48:42 · answer #9 · answered by Rainfog 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it is much the same as seeing a therapist.It makes one feel better to unburden themselves.Many people are unsure if a prayer is heard.
2006-12-14 15:50:24 · answer #10 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋