Why do catholics confess to a priest

Thus, dealing with sin in the life of a believer is not just about ridding oneself of the shadow of personal mistakes; it is an act of reconciliation with God and a healing. The Church teaches that priests are mediators who are authorized to provide this reconciliation and make possible the healing. This act is formalized in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, by which the repenting sinner returns to God and is restored to right relationship with God and with the Church.

Catholics teach that confession to a priest is essential because it offers the sinner a way to be fully honest about his or her sins and to receive fully the forgiveness offered by God. Regular confession disciplines the believer to understand evil tendencies in the heart and to recognize the offer of grace that God provides through the Church.

In the Catholic Church, bishops serve as the successors to the apostles and priests are their partners in the apostolic ministry. The apostles were sent out by Christ to heal and to set people free from evil, and thus priests represent this healing and restoring act of Christ. After the resurrection, Jesus gave the apostles the Holy Spirit and taught them that they were to exercise the power of forgiveness John If you hold them bound, they are held bound.

Jesus intended this power to be exercised not only by the apostles, but also by their successors for the good of sinners. So the first reason why Catholics confess their sins to a priest is that God has chosen to express His forgiving love this way.

As humans, God knows that one of our needs is to be certain, to be re-assured. God wants us to know with faith assurance that when we are sincerely repentant, when we are truly sorry, that He has forgiven our sins. Again and again, Jesus showed His love through outward, external signs.

Also, the Church teaches that the priest ministers in persona Christi, in the person of Christ. Our sins offend not only God, but the community as well. It is not only impractical, but often also ill-advised because of scandal or grave consequences, to admit our sins to others.

The Personal Touch. Father Michael Van Sloun is pastor of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata, Minn. As a former school principal, high school instructor and athletic coach, he has always been a teacher. He now teaches the faith as a homilist, Bible study leader, retreat director, pilgrimage guide and author of numerous articles. After all, it had been a while of confessing. The priest pulled back the curtain and opened his arms for a hug.

This and nothing less is the love of God for us. He is always there to welcome us home, get the past behind us, and to have a relationship with us. Confession is the quickest way to heaven. That is why we should go often. Remember, Jesus says that when He forgives your sins He throws them as far as the East is from the West. Never to be thought of again. God Himself does too! Freedom and love are waiting! Hippolytus A. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage A. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople A.

Priests, in contrast, can bind with a bond which pertains to the soul itself and transcends the very heavens. Did [God] not give them all the powers of heaven? The Father has given all judgment to the Son. And now I see the Son placing all this power in the hands of men [Matt.

Only God can forgive sins. Where is this found in the Bible? There are seven main reasons why Jesus set up the Sacrament of Confession for a priest and desires for us to go: 1.