[HarleyD]

From Wikipedia-"Catholics believe that no priest, as an individual man, however pious or learned, has power to forgive sins. This power belongs to God alone; however, God can and does exercise it through the Catholic priesthood. Catholics believe God exercises the power of forgiveness by means of the sacrament of reconciliation."

jo kus-"Really? That's not what I've been told, nor do the Church Fathers agree with that idea."

From www.newadvent.org-"No Catholic believes that a priest simply as an individual man, however pious or learned, has power to forgive sins. This power belongs to God alone; but He can and does exercise it through the ministration of men."

Wikipedia definition is almost plagerism straight from the Catholic website. You must be reading the wrong Church Fathers. Here is what the Council of Trent canonized in 1551:

As a means of regaining grace and justice, penance was at all times necessary for those who had defiled their souls with any mortal sin. . . . Before the coming of Christ, penance was not a sacrament, nor is it since His coming a sacrament for those who are not baptized. But the Lord then principally instituted the Sacrament of Penance, when, being raised from the dead, he breathed upon His disciples saying: 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained' (John 20:22-23). By which action so signal and words so clear the consent of all the Fathers has ever understood that the power of forgiving and retaining sins was communicated to the Apostles and to their lawful successors, for the reconciling of the faithful who have fallen after Baptism. (Sess. XIV, c. i)

[jo kus]

You wrote...Catholics believe that no priest, as an individual man, however pious or learned, has power to forgive sins.

I responded and YOU sent me back the SAME quote! By which action so signal and words so clear the consent of all the Fathers has ever understood that the power of forgiving and retaining sins was communicated to the Apostles and to their lawful successors, for the reconciling of the faithful who have fallen after Baptism. (Sess. XIV, c. i)

Harley, how does your response back up your assertion that "Catholics believe that no priest...has the power to forgive sins"? By parroting me back Trent, you are merely explaining what I already said - that priests HAVE THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS - GIVEN BY GOD!

Regards