[ebb tide]

>>The priest doesn’t forgive sins either. Only God does that.<<

That’s not true; sounds like something a Protestant would say.

If the priest does not forgive sins, there’s no reason to for the Sacrament of Confession. It’s up to the priest to forgive sins in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The priest does have God’s authority and the priest does forgive sins.

>>Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.<< John 20:23

I’m sorry I had to quote YOU something from the Bible.

[metmom]

If the priest does not forgive sins, there’s no reason to for the Sacrament of Confession.

Exactly!

But the problem is, if there's no need for a priest to hear confession, they're out a job.

Better to keep people thinking that they have to go to a priest. It's job security.

And why is it not needed? Because God Himself forgives us 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.