That takes the need for God right out of the picture.
But John also tells us that if we confess our sins, HE (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
There is no need for a priest and no corruptible human being has the right to sit in judgment on another human being no matter what the Catholic church claims.
I find it absolutely inconceivable that God would put that kind of unbridled power in the hands of corruptible and corrupted human beings because they are not faithful and just.
That claim the the RCC is a power grab plain and simple, one that threatens its adherents with hellfire and brimstone for not submitting to their authority. An abuse of power if ever there was one.
Catholic teaching is that Jesus elects to act THROUGH his priests. They have no powers of their own to confer the Sacraments.
Similarly, Jesus could have converted the gentiles on His own, but instead, after his Ascension, he chose to act through St. Paul and His other disciples.