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Okay here goes. Now don't anybody attack me for not knowing perfect theology, as I've said my concentration is in something else, however, I'm not sure I fully understand the sacrament. From the New Testament, I am taught I should confess my sins to God BUT I should also confess them to others such as with the 'sorcerers' in Acts 19 because through that action I am showing the power God has in my life and it is a testimony to those around me.

Now I'm not saying one should air out all their dirty laundry to everyone in the middle of a church meeting(while truthfully it might be a good Christian ideal I don't think it's going to catch on!!) but I'm not sure I see the reason to pick a priest in particular. Because in verse 20 the public deed in confession was used to spread the Word and the power of God. Wouldn't my confession be a witness and furthermore show other Christians if God can overcome what He did in my life than He can be just as powerful for them? A confession to a priest alone wouldn't allow that the way I see it because it would be kept between the priest and myself

Hello! Good to see you!

I am curious as to what you thought of the biblical references in the article, and also to how you view apostolic tradition.

From the New Testament, I am taught I should confess my sins to God BUT I should also confess them to others such as with the 'sorcerers' in Acts 19 because through that action I am showing the power God has in my life and it is a testimony to those around me.

Here is the Catholic viewpoint on the issue:

This sacrament is rooted in the mission God gave to Christ in his capacity as the Son of man on earth to go and forgive sins (cf. Matt. 9:6). Thus, the crowds who witnessed this new power "glorified God, who had given such authority to men" (Matt. 9:8; note the plural "men"). After his resurrection, Jesus passed on his mission to forgive sins to his ministers, telling them, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:21–23).

Now I'm not saying one should air out all their dirty laundry to everyone in the middle of a church meeting(while truthfully it might be a good Christian ideal I don't think it's going to catch on!!) but I'm not sure I see the reason to pick a priest in particular.

The ealry Christians really did confess their sins in church in front of everybody! Of course, we don't do it like that today. We go into a confessional, a practice that evolved over the time. Most of us like to go behind a screen and not face to face.

Because in verse 20 the public deed in confession was used to spread the Word and the power of God. Wouldn't my confession be a witness and furthermore show other Christians if God can overcome what He did in my life than He can be just as powerful for them? A confession to a priest alone wouldn't allow that the way I see it because it would be kept between the priest and myself.

It would indeed be a testament. Norma McCorvy comes to mind on this issue. She is brave to say how wrong she was in Roe Vs Wade. However, I think it can be traced in the above biblical passages and from the quotes showing that they were promulgating this doctrine as far back as 41 years ofter Christ's resurrection, which gives the issue more weight.