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the question is why do non Catholics NOT confess to priests.

Besides RC priests being mostly lost via a false gospel, one reason is that hiereus is never used for NT pastors, nor does it mean presbuteros or episkopeō , despite entomology based on imposed functional equivalence (and all believers offer sacrifice and make up the general priesthood" (1Pt. 2:5,9)).

And Peter told Simon to ask God himself for forgiveness, (Acts 8:22) though intercession by the church elders can be efficacious (not as in the Last Rites), (Ja. 5:14-16) as well as by others. And binding and loosing is seen in exercising judgement in discipline. (1Cor. 5)

"one reason is that hiereus is never used for NT pastors, nor does it mean presbuteros or episkopeō , despite entomology based on imposed functional equivalence (and all believers offer sacrifice and make up the general priesthood" (1Pt. 2:5,9)). " Of course Catholics can ask God for forgiveness without the help of a priest. We do it all the time. I've done it 3 times this morning, already. It is clearly shown throughout Scripture and Early Church History that there was an hierarchical priesthood set up. “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. .....John 20:21-23 Jesus requested this, specifically. In the fullness of Jesus Christ's Gospel, this is why it is done. Why is it that other Christians, do not do it?

A non-Catholic CAN go in and talk with the priest, but the full benefits of the Sacrament will not be available to him. I’ve known several non-Catholics at retreats who have gone in and talked with the priest during the Confession time. (Usually on Saturday night.)