From the Friars: Why Confess to a Priest?

The first thing Jesus did after He rose from the dead was to delegate to His Apostles the power to forgive sins, as we hear in the Gospel today. Thus He instituted the Sacrament of Confession. Many people, even Catholics, do not understand why we need to confess our sins to a priest. Why not go directly to God? After all, the priest is a sinner like everybody else and my sins are none of his business.

This is a legitimate question, but a prior and much more important question is in what way has Our Lord established for our sins to be forgiven? We all have our opinions but Jesus is God and He knows what is best for us. Our Creator knows us better than we know ourselves. A quick review of the role of the priest in Confession will help us to understand why Jesus set things up the way He did.

First, the priest acts as a judge. He must discern if the penitent has genuine contrition or not. This is presumed by the fact that the person is there asking for forgiveness. But sometimes it becomes clear that there is no real intention to change one’s life. Absolution cannot be given if there is no firm purpose of amendment. For example, a mafia hit man who has no plans to stop killing people is such a case.

Saint Faustina mentions in her diary that we come to confession to be healed and to be educated. (No. 377) Hence the priest is doctor and teacher. He tries to give remedies to help the person experience a deeper freedom and intimacy with God. He also instructs, when necessary, if there is ignorance about important matters of the Faith.

Lastly, and most importantly, the priest acts as a loving father. Our Father in Heaven speaks to his beloved child through His instrument, “I absolve you of your sins, …go in peace.” When we offend someone we love we need to say the words – “I am sorry”- and we need to hear with our ears – “I forgive you”.

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good. His Mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118)

Father knows best.
Fr. Peter