[terycarl]

What it doesn't mean is that a priest has the power to retain someone's sins. Cause if he does, then you have to explain away this verse about GOD forgiving our sins. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

ah yes, but the priest can determine whether or not the person is sincere.....if the person stole something and the priest told him to return the item and he refused.....was he sincere in asking forgiveness of his sin?????

[metmom]

ah yes, but the priest can determine whether or not the person is sincere.....

That's a bunch of baloney. He can't any more than any other human being can.

He can only guess because he cannot know the heart nor read the mind.

[Mark17]

ah yes, but the priest can determine whether or not the person is sincere..

Horse hockey bro. When I went to confession, I lied to the priest regularly, cuz I didn’t want him getting his jollies, by prying into my mortal sins. He always “forgave” my sins, even though he wasn’t capable of forgiving me for chewing gum in catechism class.