“Regardless of the length of time it has been practiced, Christ gave the abilities to forgive and retain sin to the apostles, the first priests and bishops.”
Well, to bishops, who in turn authorize priests and in the East as they always have, others. The length of time this has been done may indeed have some relevance since the very oldest order for Confession is not Western but Eastern It is from Patriarch John the Faster (Constantinople) and dates from the 6th century, or so it is claimed. It was put together from manuscripts found in a monastery at the Holy Mountain by St. Nicodemos the Hagiorite and is called Exomologetarion or Manual of Confession.
“But it is NOT the Sacrament of PENANCE!”
You particular church disagrees with you, S.
**“But it is NOT the Sacrament of PENANCE!”**
I was talking about the people in the rite of whom you are speaking.
When I hit the post button on that I realize I jumped from one thought to another and that it would be misunderstood.
Minds move faster than fingers sometimes. LOL!