Why do we need to confess our sins to the priest instead of confessing them directly to God?

Through the sacrament of reconciliation, and by confession our sins to a priest, we have the assurance of Jesus’ own words that we shall be forgiven of our sins. This is especially true for mortal or very grave sins. By confessing our sins to a priest, we are given a vehicle by which we can be comforted in our guilt.

Can priests forgive sins?

Jesus himself said that Scripture cannot be altered (John 10:35). Only Jesus can forgive sins. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). The pope and priests and any other person is flesh and blood like you and me and do not have the authority or power from Jesus to forgive sins.

What sins do you confess to a priest?

All mortal sins must be confessed, while confession of venial sins also is recommended but not required. The priest may emphasize repentance and offer counsel, and always proposes a penance which the penitent accepts and then recites an act of contrition. The priest imparts absolution.

Why is it necessary to confess?

confession, also called reconciliation or penance, in the Judeo-Christian tradition, the acknowledgment of sinfulness in public or private, regarded as necessary to obtain divine forgiveness.

Can confession be done without a priest?

Do what the catechism says. It’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”

Is confessing to a priest in the Bible?

The necessity of confession is discussed in many places in the New Testament (James 5:16; 1 John 1:9), although there is no direct evidence that confession had to be specific or detailed or that it had to be made to a priest. A detailed confession to a bishop or priest, however, appeared early in the church’s history.