This is bothering me...

Skripper · Jun 18, 2006

christianmomof3 said:
Yes, to confess is scriptural, but I do not see anyone in the Bible told to confess to anyone other than to God. John 20:23 is a similar verse to Matt: 16:19 and 18:18. I do not see where people are told to confess to the apostles, nor where this "power" is passed down to anyone. If you take that verse as something passed down, do you also think the other things the Lord sent the disciples out to do were passed down to priests? He sent them out to heal people and preach the gospel and handle snakes and scorpions without being harmed. Are priests supposed to heal people?
Are there any examples in the Bible of people confessing to other people - apostles or priests - after Jesus died?
Also, where in the Bible does it say that when you confess you should then be given a specific prayer or something that you have to say?
Thank you, Dana

Where in the Bible does it say that all Christian truth is in written form in the Bible? (It doesn't) How do you think the very early Christians got along before there even was a Bible? The NT didn't even begin to be written until years after Jesus' assension. And what about all those who could not and can not read? What of them? What about before the advent of the printing press which made the Bible widely available? That didn't come along until around 1450 . . . what about the 1400 plus years before that?

Regarding John 20:23. How do you suppose the Apostles were supposed to know which sins to forgive and which to retain if the person did not confess their sins to them? They were not mind-readers.

FullyMT · Jun 19, 2006

Perhaps he felt that you were beginning to list sins that he thought were venial and not necessary to confess? Is it possible that is little shpeil that he went on as he did with other people going to him could be applied to you?
I know a priest who almost always, as the penance he gives, is to read the gospel for the upcoming Sunday. Does that make it any less special?

redMountian · Jun 19, 2006

Borealis, before you heed others' advice and change confessors, please ask your priest why he did it that way and explain your dissapointment. I don't know what the answer is, but he'll know better than any of us here.

redMountian · Jun 19, 2006

Dana, during confession, priests give us advice on how to 'go and sin no more', give us penance, and while Christ forgives our sins on behalf of Himself, priests, as the spiritual leaders of the community, forgive our sins on behalf of the community.

Caedmon · Jun 19, 2006

I'd feel the same way, and if different confessors were available, my first impulse would be to go to one of them next time, or schedule a special confession appointment.

However, if you want to work on your relationship with this priest (although it doesn't sound as if you have much of a relationship with him), then talk to him about your confession, and ask him why he cut your confession short.

For what it's worth, I believe Padre Pio would have some advice for such a priest...

"There have been periods when I heard confessions, without interruption for eighteen hours consecutively."

"I am overloaded with work, because I hear confessions all day and often at night hundreds of thousands of people. I don't have a moment to myself. But God helps me effectively in my ministry."

"I feel the strength to renounce everything, so long as souls return to Jesus and love Jesus."

Padre Pio - http://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/priest/neighbor.htm

Markh · Jun 19, 2006

Confession also heals wounds of sin and gives the grace not to sin again. Also even by saying venial sins in the confessional it leads us to avoid doing them again.

Go to a different priest and if you had commited a mortal sin, resay them to be on the safe side.

Why not send a letter to the Bishop about this priest as well- this is an abuse of the sacrament- it may as well be "general absolution".

I wonder why this priest isn't doing general absolutions because his current practice acheives much the same thing.

Perhaps lets say you commited a sin which he could not absolve?- In the past priest needed permission to absolve abortion....

It all sounds very dodgey to me.

Markh · Jun 19, 2006

christianmomof3 said:
Also, where in the Bible does it say that ...
Thank you, Dana

who said the only authority for Christians was to be the bible?

It doesn't say that in the bible.

The Church pre-dates your bible and compiled the bible based on tradition.

Christ does not save through the bible but through the Church. So, for the good of your soul I implore you to embrace the Church Christ founded.

Cosmic Charlie · Jun 19, 2006

Caedmon said:
I'd feel the same way, and if different confessors were available, my first impulse would be to go to one of them next time, or schedule a special confession appointment.

However, if you want to work on your relationship with this priest (although it doesn't sound as if you have much of a relationship with him), then talk to him about your confession, and ask him why he cut your confession short.

For what it's worth, I believe Padre Pio would have some advice for such a priest...

"There have been periods when I heard confessions, without interruption for eighteen hours consecutively."

.

"I am overloaded with work, because I hear confessions all day and often at night hundreds of thousands of people. I don't have a moment to myself. But God helps me effectively in my ministry."

"I feel the strength to renounce everything, so long as souls return to Jesus and love Jesus."

Padre Pio - http://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/priest/neighbor.htm

Yeah, but Padre Pio was most likely not entirely sane too

WarriorAngel · Jun 19, 2006

Borealis said:
I took my son to confession yesterday. I was surprised thta he was in and out of the confessional so quickly; he hasn't been for a month, and while I love him dearly, he's not THAT much of an angel.

Then I went in. I knelt down, spoke the initial words, then started telling my sins. I hadn't gotten too far in when the priest stopped me, gave me the spiel I had overheard him speak to two other people (he's not exactly quiet), then spoke the words of absolution.

I didn't tell him all my sins. He simply didn't give me time, just absolution. I felt like I was at the drive-through confessional. I also felt...cheated, in a sense. I'm not proud of some of the things I've done, not in the slightest. I went to confession because I needed to go, I needed to know that Jesus forgives me even though I'm not worthy of it. But this felt...like a McDonalds' version of confession. In, confess a sin or two, Jesus loves you, three Our Fathers, off you go, next customer please.

Am I wrong to feel this way? I even find myself wondering if I had a valid confession. Not because I didn't confess all my sins, but because he didn't let me.

I know what cha mean...!

Not all do this, but when this does happen it makes you wonder if your truly as repentent as you should be....
BUT to question it makes you feel like you commit the sin of not believing in your confession....

Tough call...yep tough call.

It always feels so much better to tell everything from the heart.

Was this the first time this priest did this??

Maybe he had to rush to get somewhere....maybe someone was in the hospital....?

WarriorAngel · Jun 19, 2006

Cosmic Charlie said:
Yeah, but Padre Pio was most likely not entirely sane too

Define your definition of sanity.

Any man who has a stigmata is way more sane than ......... well, most others.

WarriorAngel · Jun 19, 2006

christianmomof3 said:
Yes, to confess is scriptural, but I do not see anyone in the Bible told to confess to anyone other than to God. John 20:23 is a similar verse to Matt: 16:19 and 18:18. I do not see where people are told to confess to the apostles, nor where this "power" is passed down to anyone. If you take that verse as something passed down, do you also think the other things the Lord sent the disciples out to do were passed down to priests? He sent them out to heal people and preach the gospel and handle snakes and scorpions without being harmed. Are priests supposed to heal people?
Are there any examples in the Bible of people confessing to other people - apostles or priests - after Jesus died?
Also, where in the Bible does it say that when you confess you should then be given a specific prayer or something that you have to say?
Thank you, Dana

Christ was given all authority and HE stated to His Apostles.....

'WHO'S sins YOU forgive will be forgiven, who's sins YOU hold bound will be held bound."

I don't see any room for any other interpretation.....

PLUS lets not forget....

"AS the Father sent ME, I send you......."

Another verse without room for other intepretations.

christianmomof3 · Jun 19, 2006

WarriorAngel said:
Christ was given all authority and HE stated to His Apostles.....

'WHO'S sins YOU forgive will be forgiven, who's sins YOU hold bound will be held bound."

I don't see any room for any other interpretation.....

PLUS lets not forget....

"AS the Father sent ME, I send you......."

Another verse without room for other intepretations.

Thank you for your answers. I still do not see how that applies to priests. As I stated, if that verse is applied to priests, then why not healing, casting out demons and handling snakes? The disciples were sent out to do those things also.
And, there are no instances shown in the Bible of anyone confessing sins to anyone other than to God. I understand now that the Catholic church does a lot of things that are not from the Bible. I am sorry that I asked my question here because it took away from the original question.
I appologize to the OP - I did not intend to take away from his question or lead the thread off track.
I just wondered why he had to feel so bad because he felt he had to confess to a priest, when the Bible does not say "everyone has to confess to a priest" even if some disciples were given authority to forgive sins at one time.
We can confess to God and God will forgive our sins.

WarriorAngel · Jun 19, 2006

christianmomof3 said:
Thank you for your answers. I still do not see how that applies to priests. As I stated, if that verse is applied to priests, then why not healing, casting out demons and handling snakes? The disciples were sent out to do those things also.

Not exactly sure why you think otherwise....
There are many occasions the Apostles were able to do all of this.
AND if you ever read the lives of the Saints, you would see the extraordinary things they have done.
Many monks, priests, and religious were able thru faith and grace to cast out demons, read hearts, heal many ppl, and well....I believe the handling of snakes is a matter of necessity not that Christ wanted His choosen to go out and tempt God by intentionally handling snakes.

For instance...would we be tempting God by drinking poison, altho it says poison would not take affect?

Yes, it would be.

And so the sense of the men being able to handle snakes, drink poison...etc are ONLY in matters of necessity.

IE,,,,,, they would have none of these troubles as long as their faith was pure and in God and what He decreed.

IMHO snake handling is tempting God. Scripture tells us not to tempt thy Lord God.

And, there are no instances shown in the Bible of anyone confessing sins to anyone other than to God.

Actually Peter made ppl do penance before being baptised.
Penance is making an atonement for their sins after a confession.
They did say 'Confess your sins...'
'Be repentent...'
'Forgive one another...'

How is it we who are sinned against have the power to forgive, but we dont see that as being in Christ's place?

It says NO where that only Christ would forgive...but instead as HE was sent, HE sends.....
And then said to go out and forgive sins. HE also said if they DIDNT FORGIVE SINS, THEN THE SINS WERE NOT FORGIVEN.

How can that be confused??

Did not the Lord just say...whatever they [his men] held bound...that it was also bound in Heaven??

Thus He is giving them that power on earth!

I understand now that the Catholic church does a lot of things that are not from the Bible. I am sorry that I asked my question here because it took away from the original question.

How is it you understand that when it is simply not accurate.
Everything is either inferred or stated in scripture.

I appologize to the OP - I did not intend to take away from his question or lead the thread off track.
I just wondered why he had to feel so bad because he felt he had to confess to a priest, when the Bible does not say "everyone has to confess to a priest" even if some disciples were given authority to forgive sins at one time.
We can confess to God and God will forgive our sins.

The Apostles wrote the directive from Christ Himself to them....how much more clear can that be??

What power is it that HE gives when telling them to either forgive sins...or to hold them bound??

Is that NOT His authority He passes onto men??

They preached this many years before they even penned the NT....the Gospel.

Do you yet understand it is indeed in the Bible and from Christ's OWN mouth that MEN can forgive...and even one step better......they also have the power to NOT FORGIVE?

geocajun · Jun 19, 2006

Borealis,
I'm not sure the confession was valid. I can see an argument on this either way, thus my feelings as to its validity are doubtful. As the Church teaches, how can a physician heal what he does not know about?
I would find another priest who has time and reconfess to be sure. I would ask that priest about the situation and see what he tells you.

Brother_Justin · Jun 19, 2006

I took out a list once and Fr. Ludwig looked at me with eyes that said "oh boy here we go" lol but he listened to all of them I was so happy. I do enjoy confessing to him he gives me all the time I need even if Mass is 2 minutes away lol.

Brother Justin <><

WarriorAngel · Jun 19, 2006

Brother_Justin said:
I took out a list once and Fr. Ludwig looked at me with eyes that said "oh boy here we go" lol but he listened to all of them I was so happy. I do enjoy confessing to him he gives me all the time I need even if Mass is 2 minutes away lol.

Brother Justin <><

Poor guy...lol. You must make him a mess.

Borealis · Jun 19, 2006

geocajun said:
Borealis,
I'm not sure the confession was valid. I can see an argument on this either way, thus my feelings as to its validity are doubtful. As the Church teaches, how can a physician heal what he does not know about?
I would find another priest who has time and reconfess to be sure. I would ask that priest about the situation and see what he tells you.

I'll try, but it's difficult to get to confession; there are two churches I can get to in town, but only one confession time I can actually attend due to work commitments.

Maybe I should just stop sinning.

geocajun · Jun 19, 2006

Borealis said:
I'll try, but it's difficult to get to confession; there are two churches I can get to in town, but only one confession time I can actually attend due to work commitments.

Maybe I should just stop sinning.

Keep in mind you can make appointments which will help you work around your schedule. I've had to do that on many occassions myself.
Well, years ago of course, before I too quit sinning.

D'Ann · Jun 19, 2006

Cosmic Charlie said:
Surprisingly enough I siding wtih the priest on this. I don't know the priest but 12 post from the consumer viewpoint are enough.

I picked the word "consumer" with care and precision because that's what these, "My confessor didn't treat me right..." threads sound like. Consumerism.

One would think, reading these threads, that a priest was a waiter, a person whose sole purpose was to service the wants and needs of everyone who wants to make the longest, most serupulous consfession possible.

I'm a harden sinner, I hang with other hardened sinners, I read the posts of people who stuggle with sin on thi s board. I can tell you with some certainity that humans commit the same 7 or 8 sins over and over and OVER again. Human weakness is extremely predicable.

Does it ever occur to anyone that maybe the guy on the other side of the curtain is tired, or hungry or just bored and he can't take it for another second ?

What, you never fell down on your job ?

Does it ever occur to anyone that after all the solice and comfort given by the men that maybe some could be given back ?

What would it mean to a priest not felling particularly spritual to have someone stop thinking about themelves for a moment and ask if there was something botheriing him ?

Its summer and those little booths are hot, maybe he just needs a glass of water.

Nah, it so much easier to change them out like a spent pair of batteries in a flashlight.

Actually, Charlie, before I confess, I usually do ask the Father how he is doing? He usually laughs and pauses and answers how he is doing. You are right in that we do need to be kind and considerate of the Father listening to our Confession and we do need to recognize that even Fathers have bad days.

That being said, I don't blame Boralis for feeling somewhat cheated though and that his confession was incomplete. I would feel the same way. I agree with others here in that next time, if possible, pick another confessor and pray for the last confessor that you had. Maybe he was having a bad day or was in a hurry or not feeling well.

God's peace,

Debbie

WarriorAngel · Jun 19, 2006

Borealis said:
Maybe I should just stop sinning.

Let me know how that goes....Been wanting to do that myself, but somethings keep happening.

This is bothering me...

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