The priest says that by the authority granted to him he grants absolution of our sins.
That authority is Biblical of course and I know I don't need to quote YOU anything about that from the Bible as I am sure you are cognizant of it: "Whatever you bind on earth...
Absolutely...you got it right.
>>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.