Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, sometimes, members of other churches confront the Catholics with the above question. The above was also similar to the question some teachers of the Law and the Pharisees asked Jesus when he forgave the sins of the paralytic in Mark 2:6-7 thus: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” However, their doubts were cleared in Mark 2:8-12, when Jesus said: “Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your SINS are FORGIVEN,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?…” Thus, when the man stood up before all of them, they then realized that Jesus has the Authority to FORGIVE Sin and they equally acknowledged that with awe (cf. Mk 2:12).
Now, this Authority “TO FORGIVE SINS” which Jesus Christ established in the above Biblical quotations was handed over to the Apostles in John 20:19-23 with these words from Jesus Christ himself thus: “…Then he breathed on them and said, “RECEIVE the Holy Spirit. If you FORGIVE people’s sins, they are FORGIVEN; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.””
Therefore, by the reason of the Apostolic Succession, this Authority was handed down to the Successors of the Apostles and it has continued in successive succession down to our own age through the ministry of the PRIESTS and will continue till the end of time. Have you understood it?
Kindly note the following:
👉🏽Actually, at the Confessional, the Penitent (the person confessing) meets Jesus Christ himself. The priest is there “In the Person of Jesus Christ.”
👉🏽If you are a Catholic (Communicant) and you do not go for Confession but at same time you always go to receive Holy Communion, then, you may be seriously risking your eternal salvation. This is because, it is one of the core teachings of the Church founded on the words of Jesus Christ himself. Hence, the Catechism affirms:
“…Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before coming to communion.” “…confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church…” (CCC, nn. 1385, 1458).
👉🏽If you do not feel comfortable going for Confession to this priest, why not go to another priest.
👉🏽Know it that NO priest can ever discuss your conversations with him at the Confessional with any other human being on earth, even under the threat of death. The secret is called ‘Confessional Seal.’ So, do not be afraid of going to Confession.
👉🏽Do not always find excuses to exempt yourself from this THRONE OF MERCY. Do not allow DEATH to meet you without reconciling with God. Of course, nobody knows when death will come.
👉🏽Always pray for the grace of HUMILITY to approach the Sacrament of Confession often. It is one of the secrets of the saints.
👉🏽Please, fellow Catholics, hold on to your faith in this great Sacrament and do not allow yourselves to be deceived by any erroneous view.
👉🏽 In case you do not know, Priests, Bishops and the Pope also go for confession.
Remain blessed🙏🏼
