“The Apostles being given the right to forgive, is not necessarily Rome”
Well this is why apostolic succession is so important. The Church claims that the priests are the successors to the Apostles in that the authority vested in them has been passed down.
Are you arguing that the truth is that Rome is wrong and someone else currently possesses this connection.
What I am arguing is that there is no such thing as Apostolic succession. Rome manufactured this out of whole cloth. How do we know? Read the Book. It is not there, nor is the priesthood (other than the priesthood of all believers), the sacraments, the adoration of Mary, confession to other men, penance, pergatory or most of the other superstitious rites performed in a misguided attempt to secure the forgiveness which comes from simple faith in Christ, alone.