[Mr. Douglas]

Ultimately, priest forgive sins “In Persona Christi”, in the name of Jesus, not on their own intrinsic authority.

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So, if I repent and ask Jesus for forgiveness and He is faithful and just, isn’t a priest sort of an unnecessary middle man? Why would I go to a Priest when I can go directly to Jesus? I’m thinking I’m missing something here.

[DuncanWaring]

The priest, with his authority to forgive sins via the sacrament of Reconciliation, is also an earthly visible reminder of the need to repent.