....”the first thing he did when he appeared to the apostles was to give them authority to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation”....
What utter nonsense....The Apostles were never given authority to forgive sins....ONLY Jesus is worthy of such an Authority. It’s his blood pored out for the forgiveness of men...not theirs.
No interpretation should be placed on that scripture that would place it in direct conflict with numerous other clear texts..... The fact is, though all Christians are to forgive one another, ultimately, only God can bestow absolute pardon The Lord did not grant that right to the apostles or anyone else.
On Pentecost the apostles, in harmony with the Spirit’s guidance, did not personally forgive the sins of anyone rather, they merely announced the conditions of pardon.
John 20:23 does not sanction the catholic clergy procedure of granting “absolution” from sin.
Please check your Bible again. Specifically the Book of JOHN.
JOHN 20
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19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."