236 SINS ARE FORGIVEN IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

YOUCAT Lesson 236

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

236  Why are priests the only ones who can forgive sins?

No man can forgive sins unless he has a commission from God to do so and the power given by him to ensure that the forgiveness he promises the penitent really takes place.  The bishop, in the first place, is appointed to do that and, then, his helpers, the ordained priests.  [1461-1466, 1495]

“Candor toward a brother must not be mistaken for confession.  The latter is made to the Lord of heaven and earth in the presence of a man who is authorized to hear it.”  Brother Roger Schutz (1915-2005)

…….Painting above: …..Jesus saying farewell to his eleven remaining disciples, from the Maesta by Duccio, 1308–1311. …..236

Appearance to the Disciples.    On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.   The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.    [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”   And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.   Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” – The Gospel of Saint John 20:19-23

In 1907  Pope Pius X specifically reaffirmed the relevance of Gospel of John 20:22-23 to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  He quoted John 20:22-23: "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."

THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT

…….1461   Since Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation, (compare John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 5:18)⁶⁵  bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops' collaborators, continue to exercise this ministry. Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1462   Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church. Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential discipline.(compare Lumen Gentium 26 § 3.)⁶⁶    Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent that they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 844; 967-969; 972; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 722 §§ 3-4.)⁶⁷ --CCC

…….1463   Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 976; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 725.)⁶⁹ --CCC

…….1464 Priests must encourage the faithful to come to the sacrament of Penance and must make themselves available to celebrate this sacrament each time Christians reasonably ask for it.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 486; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 735; Presbyterorum Ordinis 13.)⁷⁰ --CCC

…….1465   When he celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgment is both just and merciful. The priest is the sign and the instrument of God's merciful love for the sinner. --CCC

…….1466   The confessor is not the master of God's forgiveness, but its servant. The minister of this sacrament should unite himself to the intention and charity of Christ.(compare Presbyterorum Ordinis 13.)⁷¹    He should have a proven knowledge of Christian behavior, experience of human affairs, respect and sensitivity toward the one who has fallen; he must love the truth, be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, and lead the penitent with patience toward healing and full maturity. He must pray and do penance for his penitent, entrusting him to the Lord's mercy.

IN BRIEF

.......1495 Only priests who have received the faculty of absolving from the authority of the Church can forgive sins in the name of Christ. --CCC