WHO HEARS THE CONFESSION OF THE POPE?
INBOX
QUESTION:
QUESTION:
“Hi brother, I read your post on “Confession” some days back. Agreed! Since Christ has granted the power to his
Apostles who later handed down the power to the authorities of the Church by
Apostolic Succession through laying of hands as you clearly stated, who then,
does the Pope go to for confession; or does he not need confession too?”
SHORT
RESPONSE:
In the first place, I need to explain a little, the concept of the priesthood in
order to bring about clarity. The Catholic priesthood is a participation in
this priesthood of Christ, and therefore traces its origins to Jesus Christ
himself. Hence, a priest acts “in persona Chrsiti”, that is, “in the person of
Christ”. Thus, the principal work of a priest is seen in the Celebration of the
Mass and the Sacraments geared for the salvation of souls (Salus animarum). These
acts are seen in the office of the Pope,
Cardinals, Bishops, and Rev. Fathers.
RESPONSE:
In the first place, I need to explain a little, the concept of the priesthood in
order to bring about clarity. The Catholic priesthood is a participation in
this priesthood of Christ, and therefore traces its origins to Jesus Christ
himself. Hence, a priest acts “in persona Chrsiti”, that is, “in the person of
Christ”. Thus, the principal work of a priest is seen in the Celebration of the
Mass and the Sacraments geared for the salvation of souls (Salus animarum). These
acts are seen in the office of the Pope,
Cardinals, Bishops, and Rev. Fathers.
From the foregoing, we can
say that the Priesthood consists of the Pope, Cardinals,
Bishops, and Rev. Fathers. Put
differently, a Pope is a priest, a cardinal is a priest, a Bishop is a Priest,
and a Rev. Father is a Priest as well. Many of us may assume that the
priesthood is reserved only for Reverend fathers alone; as such we tend to see
a Bishop or the Pope as one who has passed the stage of the
priesthood. Let us get it right,
they are all priests, the only difference lies in the hierarchy, that is, the
offices (Bishop, cardinal, and Pope).
say that the Priesthood consists of the Pope, Cardinals,
Bishops, and Rev. Fathers. Put
differently, a Pope is a priest, a cardinal is a priest, a Bishop is a Priest,
and a Rev. Father is a Priest as well. Many of us may assume that the
priesthood is reserved only for Reverend fathers alone; as such we tend to see
a Bishop or the Pope as one who has passed the stage of the
priesthood. Let us get it right,
they are all priests, the only difference lies in the hierarchy, that is, the
offices (Bishop, cardinal, and Pope).
Hence, since the sacrament
of Confession requires the medium of the Priest who acts in the person of
Christ; and pointing at the question as to who hears the confession of the
Pope, we come to understand that a Pope can go to confession at
the hands of a priest also (Rev. father, a Bishop or a Cardinal), likewise a
priest or a Bishop etc, can choose to go to confession at the hands of a Rev.
Father or a bishop or a cardinal or the Pope.
of Confession requires the medium of the Priest who acts in the person of
Christ; and pointing at the question as to who hears the confession of the
Pope, we come to understand that a Pope can go to confession at
the hands of a priest also (Rev. father, a Bishop or a Cardinal), likewise a
priest or a Bishop etc, can choose to go to confession at the hands of a Rev.
Father or a bishop or a cardinal or the Pope.
I
believe this answers the question.
