[Forest Keeper]

That is beyond the Church’s authority. We may bind, but we may not Judge. That is for the Lamb.

This is the line I am trying to figure out. I inferred from Kosta earlier that the binding and loosening power was basically limitless, since no limits appear in those passages. But now it seems that there is a limit as to Judging. Is there any other way you can describe how this line is drawn as to what the Church can and can't do?

I still am not sure why judging wouldn't be included because your priests have the power to declare sins forgiven or NOT. Isn't that really what loosening is? If so, then how is that not the power to judge? If a priest/bishop makes a mistake in refusing to forgive, yet Christ forgives anyway, then your rule is violated because what was loosed on earth was not loosed in Heaven.

[kosta50]

This is the line I am trying to figure out. I inferred from Kosta earlier that the binding and loosening power was basically limitless, since no limits appear in those passages

You inferred wrong. Christ promised that whatever they bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Do you think that includes anything but that which is pure? Do you think that's a blanket authority to do evil? The "power" is in the promise of God and not in some magic wand for men to do as they please.

But now it seems that there is a limit as to Judging

All it means is that the priest must pray and ask the HS to forgive in earnest, knowing that he is a sinner, and not to judge others' sin as greater or lesser than his.

The judgment as to who is righteous and who is not is God's. We can only pray that we be forgiven our repetitive sinning and for God to rescue us from the evil one.

I still am not sure why judging wouldn't be included because your priests have the power to declare sins forgiven or NOT

Because it is scriptural. Repentance brings forgivness.

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you—Act 8:22

Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."—Luke 17:3-4

The priest prays that God forgive and, believing in the truth of your repentance, he absolves you. If you deceived the priest then you have brought judgment on yourself and the priest is not to blame. If the priest judged you then he brought judgment on himself. The intent has to be pure.

[MarkBsnr]

Nope; we are authorized to bind and loosen only. We do not have the authority to Judge. It is only up to the Lamb. There are temporal as well as spiritual aspects to sin.