Why is it that catholics confess their sins to a preist?

Question

Don't get me wrong, I'm a christian. I just don't understand why this is done. Aren't we supposed to confess our sins to God and ask him for forgiveness through the bloodshed of his son Jesus Christ? Wouldn't the act of hearing and forgiving sins be playing God?

Answer 1

It is a matter of unburdening. If you tell the things you have done that trouble you and are then reminded of God's blessings and forgiveness, it can lighten the load, and be somewhat of a guide for the future acts you contemplate.

Answer 2

Christ gave his followers the power to forgive sins in His name (Jn 20:23) and the faithful are instructed to confess their sins in James 5:16. The priests through the power of apostolic succession have the ability to forgive sins in Jesus' name. Christ acts through the priests. If we don't confess our sins, how can the priests know who to forgive and whose sins to retain? Also, for those who have qualms about telling their sins to a priest, the priest is bound by the Seal of confession, and cannot reveal what they have heard without committing a grave mortal sin.
I can give more reasons but am out of time (rats)...If you want, I can get on again and keep answering. Just say the word...

Answer 3

A Roman Catholic priest has no power nor authority to forgive in the act of confession. Only in Jesus' Name, God has the power and authority to pardon sins. And the transformation of the sinner takes place within once true surrender of will and repentance takes place. Spiritual eyes are awakened and taken onto the next level, a state of Grace, reinstatement of the soul as a new creature in Christ. Anyone who thinks a priest serves as a vehicle to "bargain and payoff their sins" with God is just fooling themselves. The desire to repent comes from the heart and needs no human mediator to receive the gift of forgiveness.

Answer 4

Jesus gave to the apostles the power to forgive sins in his name.
Mt. 9:2-8Son of man has athority to forgive sins
Jn 20:23Whose sins you forgive/retain are forgiven/retained
Jn 20:22[recall Gen 2:7]-breathed on them "recieve the holy sp"
2 Cor 5:17-20-given the ministry of reconcilliation
James 5:13-15- prayer of presbyters forgives sins
Jam 5:16- confess your sins to one another
Mt 18:18- Whatever you bind/loose on earth, so it is in heaven
1 Jn 5:16- there is sin that is not deadly

Answer 5

This has been asked and answered here many, many times. Catholics can show you scripture supporting priests hearing confession, and Protestants will argue otherwise.

Christ breathed into the Apolstle the ability ot hear and forgive sin (John), and the Catholic Church understands that ability to be passed down to priests through ordination.

Answer 6

The priest is "sitting in" for Christc by virtue of the priest's ordination, Jesus granted the power to forgive or retain sins to the apostles (and then to their successors). In order to forgive, the priest must hear the confession.

John 20
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit.
23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Answer 7

It comes from the Gospel of John 20:22-23

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Jesus was saying that to the apostles. Catholics interpret that as saying that the priesthood (represented by the apostles here) are supposed to hear confessions and forgive them (or, I guess, retain them and not forgive them.)

Answer 8

Catholicism teaches that both Scripture and tradition are of equal authority. Confessions to a priest to absolve sins is part of the traditional aspect.

Answer 9

i'm no longer a one to assert something approximately any sort of worship. i don't have faith in killing people to furnish to the gods. that's B. S. i've got faith in case you concern God and your maker right here and heaven or what ever. I say great! I do have faith in God and all of the stuff that's available in the memories. in case you ask a clergyman to forgive your sins which you commented at any time in life, that would desire to help ease the sensation in you. I mean, in case you sense so in charge some sin on your life. Confess! God forgives any sin, that's what i replaced into advised and have faith. we are all sinners no count how sturdy you think of you're. I sin daily and comprehend that i'm forgiving that 2nd. one component I even have seen in to many churches no count in this state or everywhere in the international is church isn't a church. that's now starting to be to be a manner teach. I say screw money and wealth. it is going to screw us much greater and sin greater. no count the place we got here from, we sin. From the sturdy, to the evil. all of us sin in distinctive approaches! on an identical time we are forgiving and decrease back to the element. purchase asserting that we sin, makes us sense greater ideal. SO I even have SINNED FORGIVE ME O' LORD. Amen! Peace!

Answer 10

Yes indeed, this question has been asked many times. Many times I have answered that it is not only Catholics who adhere to the sacrament of reconciliation, commonly known as confession, but also Anglicans and Orthodox Church members.