[ealgeone]

You do realize that God forgives sin as soon as we repent don’t you? Confession is the ordinary means established by the Church for the reconciliation of sinners to the Body of Christ. God works in extraordinary ways.

I've been told repeatedly on this board that only a priest can forgive sins and that you have to confess those to him to have them forgiven.

I'm just telling you what other catholics on this board have said.

So you're saying it is not necessary to go to a priest to have your sins forgiven? I want to be clear on this.

[Legatus]

I've been told repeatedly on this board that only a priest can forgive sins

Only God can forgive sin since God is the offended party.

Here are the words used by the priest: "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Absolve is from Latin and means to loosen or set free.

[Legatus]

So you're saying it is not necessary to go to a priest to have your sins forgiven? I want to be clear on this.

It is the ordinary means of reconciliation established by the Church ... hang on: priest incoming, will post in a few minutes.