Interesting what else can turn up during confession time, isn't it?
Interesting too, what specialized, custom tailored rules you've got there.
I think I've seen them around, some place before.
Cue up the damage-control specialized pleadings to strictly limit that (the italicized, above) to a favored group in 1, 2, 3...
Forget it. I'm not interested in hearing all the excuses, again.
But what's with this concept of a priest doing the absolving?
Oh, wait. We've seen that one before too.
Supposedly, at least when it's pointed out that none have the authority to absolve others of their sins, and that be acknowledged that this comes only from the Lord ---that is not always confessed to, but when it is --- the apologetic turns towards putting things as although it is the Lord who does the forgiving (or not does not, depending upon circumstance, it could be assumed) and that be the forgiveness which ultimately matters, a Catholic "priest" is more merely validating, confirming what which has already effectively transpired, providing reassurance to the pentinent that his own efforts have been in good faith, and sufficient to enable the pentinent to obtain grace, and that such has been granted to him.
RICO-tico-ticky-tacky, however one may turn it, what a business opportunity. It has potential.
Hold on a second ---
Too much of that sort of business was what drove Martin Luther to do as he did -- AND PROTEST.
Once he investigated yet further, more and more began coming to light, Scripture leading the way.
Well now (I mean back then, actually) we can't be having any of that objecting to papal 'authority' systematics contrariness.
That simply won't do. So kick Luther out, tell the world he's like a devil. Agree with that, or go to hell with him and others, your tails tied together like sons of Jews who are descended from monkeys and pigs.
But when others defy more modern popes --- my, my, my, how things have changed.
Dang that Vatican II! Modernist heresy!!! The SSPX'ers were right! They didn't do anything wrong when the rejected papal authority before they said they didn't while still rejecting the parts (and popes?) they didn't like.
But they are learning how to hold their mouths better, so there's always that...
The authority comes from the Lord. John 20_21-23.
Just for the record, whoever told you this was wrong. The priest has the power to forgive sins. Power given to him by God (Jesus, so it's ultimately from Him yes) but it's the priest who does the forgiving directly, again using the power God gave him. "Whoever's sin YOU forgive, it will be forgiven...", as the oft quoted verse says.
This power is contingent upon the priests' obedience to the Church, because while it comes from God ultimately, it is transmitted via the Church and Her laying on of hands, thus subject to the rule of the Church. ("Whatever you bind on earth has already been bound in heaven" As the relevant passage actually says in the Greek, just a bit clumsy in English) hence the reason for the news in the OP, etc.
Of course there are different opinions of what these verses mean (hence all the back and forth between Catholics and non.). I'm not interested in that dance today (as I don't recognize the authority of any given man to interpret Scripture.).
Again, the above is just for the record.
Then why not find another thread? Catholics have heard it all before too. Frankly, I'm not interested in all the rhetoric we get posted by those into anti-Catholicism.