Confession

Faith · Newbie Joined: Apr 09, 2008 Posts: 4 Status: **Offline**

Why should one confess their sins to a priest?

John · Newbie Joined: Jun 11, 2008 Posts: 7 Status: **Offline**

Jesus said: ``Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.'' (John 20:21-23) and ``Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.'' (Matt. 18:1 Cool

. Basically Jesus gave this ability to the Apostles who in turn pasted it on to the Pope, Bishops and Priests and any of the ranks in between. They were appointed to be God's Agents here on Earth.

Catholics will often commit an act of contrition which is a prayer and then they offer up their sins to God. This is the same thing Protestants do when they say they are going directly to God vs. going to the priest.

If you look at it from a psychological perspective, you are gaining closure and letting out your feelings when you go to a priest. I know when I go, we talk and it is almost more like a therapy session than a punishment. The priest sometimes will give you encouragement or tips on how to do better and what to do to atone for the sin. Most people wouldn't understand, but there is a great feeling of relief after leaving the confessional. Remember the priest is not at liberty to say or do anything about what you confess to him.


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