http://carm.org/John2023-priests-forgive-sins
Believe as you will. I don’t expect to convince you, so I won’t try. I will, however, ask what happened to all the sinners who didn’t have the benefit of confession for hundreds and hundreds of years? Why is there NO confessional in the New Testament? No Catholic has ever confessed every single sin. It’s impossible to even recognize all of our sins of commission, let alone omission, so what of all those unconfessed sins?
Don’t bother answering, those are rhetorical questions.
To everyone else I will point out that the confessional box has created an opening for unspeakable sin throughout the centuries. How many molested boys initially fell under the sway of pervert priests in the confessional box? Roman Catholic confession is an invention of those who want to lord over men. It’s an unbiblical burden on the souls of lost men who desperately need forgiveness. It’s a wicked invention!
Confession to a Priest?
http://youtu.be/CHAnpkD3Vp4
Do Catholic Priests Have Special Powers?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDy62L27gCM
An Irishman Cuts Out the Middle Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgK0VESR4YA&feature=youtu.be
Wow, I’m surprised it took 14 posts before someone raised the whole priest as pedophile issue. Good thing no protestant ministers have ever crossed that line.
You might not be interested in my answers, but others might be. Your objections aren't unusual.
I will, however, ask what happened to all the sinners who didn’t have the benefit of confession for hundreds and hundreds of years?
Confession is normative for Catholics, and mandatory for mortal sins. ("Mortal sins," see 1 John 5:16-17)
However, although Christ instituted the Sacrament, God is not bound by the Sacraments. One who sincerely repents of his sins and truly seeks God's forgiveness can receive His forgiveness. The Church teaches that this is possible not just for Catholics and Protestants, but even non-Christians. In every case, forgiveness is from God.
So why did Christ institute the Sacrament?
First of all, Christ gives the Apostles the authority to retain sins, in addition to forgive sins. (It should go without saying that Christ forgives sins through the person of the priest). One can infer from this that the priest has the authority to discern the penitent's sincerity, and engage in spiritual direction, in addition to absolution.
Secondly, confession to a human being is very tangible and comforting. Ask anyone who has been to Confession. We're human beings, not robots, and hearing the words of absolution from the priest can be a very liberating feeling, normally much more powerful than the feeling one gets from private prayer.
Third, the Sacrament conveys grace, giving us the ability to resist sin in the future.
Finally, the sacrament can be comforting to the scrupulous, who may fret over their own contrition. They can be sure that their sins have been forgiven when they hear the words of absolution from the priest.
Why is there NO confessional in the New Testament?
Does the New Testament say that every tangible thing associated with religious practice must be mentioned in the Bible? Where's that in the Bible?
Regardless, the confessional itself is not essential to the sacrament. From the Bible, we can see that the essence of the sacrament is the verbal communication of one's sins to a priest. The sacrament is efficacious when the penitent is contrite. Even imperfect contrition is acceptable.
No Catholic has ever confessed every single sin. It’s impossible to even recognize all of our sins of commission, let alone omission, so what of all those unconfessed sins?
The typical confession concludes with the words, "for these and all my sins, I am sorry."
The sacrament concludes with an act of contrition. Here is the entire Rite:
Rite of ReconciliationTo everyone else I will point out that the confessional box has created an opening for unspeakable sin throughout the centuries. How many molested boys initially fell under the sway of pervert priests in the confessional box?Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.
The priest gives you a blessing or greeting. He may share a brief Scripture passage.
Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give the number of weeks, months or years).
Confess all of your sins to the priest. The priest will help you to make a good confession. If you are unsure about how to confess or you feel uneasy, just ask him to help you. Answer his questions without hiding anything out of fear or shame. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who wants to forgive you.
Following your confession of sins, say: “I am sorry for these and all of my sins.”
The priest assigns you a penance and offers advice to help you be a better Catholic. Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.
Act of Contrition
God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
I don't know. How many?
Since Christ established the Sacrament, we must obey Him and confess our sins to a priest. The confessional box was designed to protect the penitent's privacy and to prevent the seduction of priest or penitent. If you can think of a better way for people to verbally confess their sins to a priest, the Church is open for suggestions.
Recently, penitents have been given the opportunity to choose face-to-face Confession.
There is risk of seduction in private psychological counseling and private doctor examinations, but the risk is outweighed by the benefit. The same is true of sacramental Confession, which is more important, since it is medicinal to our spiritual well-being.
“No Catholic has ever confessed every single sin. It’s impossible to even recognize all of our sins of commission, let alone omission, so what of all those unconfessed sins”.
This shows your total ignorance of a Catholic Mass.