Do Catholic priests follow the command to confess our sins? (A serious question)?

Question

If so, to whom do they confess? If not, why don't they?

Thanks...

Answer 1

Yes they do; in error. The curtain of the Holy of Holies was ripped in two from the top to the bottom when Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scripture. We now go straight to God through Jesus Christ our Lord, not through the priests.

Answer 2

Catholic priests go to Confession the same as the laity does. They can seek Confession from any Catholic clergyman, the same as the laity does.

As for whether or not a given priest does go to Confession on a regular basis, that is a question you need to ask a priest. Mind you, in doing so, you will be asking him something that is none of your business.

Short of asking priests directly, it's just as well giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming they receive Confession regularly.

Answer 3

Catholic priests, just like all other Catholics, confess to God in the presence of a priest who pronounces them absolved of their sins by the Blood of the Lamb and assigns a penance to help them grow closer to Christ and avoid the same sin in the future. See James 5:16 as to why we confess to God and another person simultaneously.

Answer 4

All Catholic clergy from the Pope down to the humble parish Curate do indeed confess their sins and this would be to other Priests and in the case of the Pope it is customary that it be a Jesuit spritual confessor.

Answer 5

Yes. John Paul II went to confession twice a week.

They go to another priest. They are sinners too, you know. Maybe instead of insulting them, they would be better off if people prayed for them. They carry a heavy burden. I wonder how many non-Catholic Christians pray for priests?

Answer 6

Yes.

No priest (including the pope) can absolve himself.

Therefore every priest up to and including the Pope needs to go to another priest to give his confession.

"The priest is not a priest for himself. He does not give absolution to himself. He does not administer the sacraments to himself. He does not exist for himself, he exists for you" (Cure of Ars: Monnin II 453).

What a comfort to the guilty, when, stung with remorse and repenting of his sins, he hears the word of the priest who says to him in God's name: "I absolve thee from thy sins!" These words fall, it is true, from the lips of one who, in his turn, must needs beg the same absolution from another priest. This does not debase the merciful gift; but makes it, rather, appear greater; since beyond the weak creature is seen more clearly the hand of God through whose power is wrought this wonder. (Encyclical of Pope Pius Xi on the Catholic Priesthood) http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19351220_ad-catholici-sacerdotii_en.html

With love in Christ

Answer 7

I AGREE WITH SAM's RESPONSE BELOW.....

"Yes they do; in error. The curtain of the Holy of Holies was ripped in two from the top to the bottom when Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scripture. We now go straight to God through Jesus Christ our Lord, not through the priests."

In response to "IAMCATHOLIC2"..... It feels even better going to the Lord in faith.... repenting of our sins and knowing that He is going to be faithful and just to forgive us. It takes faith sweetie...not another human.... only faith in the Word.

Answer 8

they confess to each other---even the Pope goes to confession

Answer 9

I would hope they confess them to God and lead others to do so as well. But I seriously doubt it as they seem to believe the Pope is Christ on earth.

Answer 10

They do, to God, through prayer.