Priest can forgive sins

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Catholic : One Thread

Is it true that a Catholic priest can for sin?

-- Henri (kxhenri@yahoo.com), May 27, 2004

Answers

edited: Is it true that a Catholic priest can forgive sin?

yes. by the power of apostolic succession handed down from the original twelve diciples of Christ the bishops today have the power to fogive sin (as Christ interred on His disciples, the first bishops)... by apostolic appointment the priests share in this ability to forgive sins (whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven). That is how priests have the power to forgive sins... a tradition which dates back to the ministries of Christ himself.

-- paul h (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), May 27, 2004.


The Apostles were the first priests of the Church Christ founded for all men. The Bible clearly records the occasion when Christ gave those first priests the special empowerment of the Holy Spirit enabling them to forgive men's sins. Read it for yourself - John 20:22-23.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 27, 2004.

Paul,

if priests can forgive sins, can this means that all human will be without sin and are saved! There are so many priests today, they just tell the world that all sins are forgiven. So we don't need Jesus Christ or need God to forgive our sin! Is this correct statement if priests have the power to forgive sins?

Henri

-- Henri (kxhenri@yahoo.com), May 27, 2004.


No Henri,

Priests can forgive the sins of those who repent and confess their sins. In other words, a priest can minister the forgiveness of Christ to those who specifically seek forgiveness. What you are saying is not logical, since God certainly can forgive sins - I assume we agree on that. Therefore, following your line of thinking, God Himself should forgive all sin, and ensure that all men are saved, regardless of whether priests are involved or not. But that is not the case. The fact is, God forgives those who come to Him seeking forgiveness, and God has provided sacramental Confession as the means of doing so.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 27, 2004.


God forgives through priests. Priests also provide invaluable counciling during reconciliation. A guest priest told our congregation of a person who confessed she was living in sin. He asked her what she planned to do about it. She replied "nothing". The priest responded that he could not grant her God's forgiveness, or he would commit mortal sin. So, confession is not like many Protestants (or for that matter, some Catholics) believe. Being told that God has forgiven you if you are truly humble and contrite, by a man with holy orders, an expert, is a great thing.

-- mark advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), May 27, 2004.


Thanks all for your answers.

Paul you gave me a reference to John 20:22-23. Clearly, Christ gave the Holy Spirit to His deciples and gave them the power to forgive sins on earth and therefore forgive in heaven. What I see is that men or priests have no power to forgive sin unless God Himself forgive sin.

If priests alone can forgive sin, then according to John 20:22-23, only priests have the Holy Spirit. The christians therefore do not have the Holy Spirit because they cannot forgive sin.

Sorry for I'm sound like an igorance, because I am and want to know more about the belief of the Catholic Church.

Thanks.

-- Henri (kxhenri@yahoo.com), May 28, 2004.


Henri,

You say, "What I see is that men or priests have no power to forgive sin unless God Himself forgive sin".

A: Of course! If men themselves had any innate power to forgive sins, Jesus would not have had to specially endow them with that power as described in John 20. Scripture tells us plainly that "only God can forgive sins". It is obvious from John 20 therefore that the only way men could forgive sins is by the power of God, through a special and specific calling, and by a special and specific infusion of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by Jesus breathing on them (verse 22). All Christians receive the same Holy Spirit, but it is very clear from scripture that even though all Christians receive the same Spirit, not all Christians are called to the same ministries.

"And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? (1 Cor 12:28-30)

Therefore, your statement, -"If priests alone can forgive sin, then according to John 20:22-23, only priests have the Holy Spirit. The christians therefore do not have the Holy Spirit because they cannot forgive sin."- is completely without foundation.

The ministry of sacramental forgiveness is a work of the Holy Spirit in those whom God has called to that specific ministry. And according to scripture, that means priests alone. Obviously we are all called to forgive those who sin against us - but that is another matter entirely.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 28, 2004.


I remember when priests were told that they could forgive sins during their ordination. I notice that they no longer say that. Is that a problem?

-- Methusalah (Geezer@longtooth.com), October 01, 2004.

This is pure baloney

I was never taught that priests forgave your sins. They more or less witnessed what you said. They heard your sins. Nothing more. I remember priests asking me to say a prayer for them as my penance. I thankfully did that. And learned from it-even as a child. There is nothing like the sacrament of penance. Even if you don't believe in it. Any denomenation could find it helpful. Let them design their own form. We have ours. Let them have their's. I know they don't think they need it but there is nothing like talking to another person.

The ignorance is almost unforgivable. If it werern't for the fact that I was once a bit anti Catholic, ; I'd be in heaven.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 02, 2004.


Clarification

I'd be in heaven... this only referred to answereng the last question. I'm sure my view of heaven does not match anyone elses. If it does,---I hope I don't go.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 02, 2004.



Moderation questions? read the FAQ