In the liturgy, the priest is always acting in the person of Christ because “From him they receive the power to act in his person. (Catechism, 935)” The penitent should consider that they are confessing to Christ. That should seem just. Christ unsealed salvation for us, won our redemption by loving us perfectly and atoned for our disobedience by loving his Father perfectly. Furthermore, the only way to the Father, who forgives, is through the Son (Jn 14:6). We must therefore confess to Christ. That fact answers the question, Why do Catholics confess to a priest? We must confess to them since Jesus has seen fit to ordain priests to act in his person.

“To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others. (Catechism, 1489)”

In that quote, the phrases ‘must ask’ and ‘return to communion with God’ are vital to understanding why we still need Baptism (which erases Original Sin and personal sin) and Penance (pardon from God and reconciliation with the Church) even though Christ paid the penalty for all. In summary, Christ’s Passover does allow us to approach God to say ‘I’m sorry’ as we sin in time and to ask for God’s healing, repair, mercy, and forgiveness. Christ’s sacrifice does not ask on our behalf because we must ask for it ourselves. We must want the reconciliation that Christ’s Passover makes way for.

One must ask and continue to ask as he sins in time. Christ paid the penalty due because of sin but didn’t automatically repair the destruction caused by sin. We must apologize and ask Christ to heal and repair the destruction, thereby reconciling us with God and his church. In that way, we show that we want to be with God; we reciprocate his desire to be with us. Not asking means that we don’t want to be with him, don’t reciprocate his desire to be in communion with us, and want to remain separated from him and his church.

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.

Sacrament of Penance: Absolution, Proclamation of Praise of God, Dismissal