To: murron
No, not just anybody can absolve sins. In the Catholic Church, you have to be an ordained priest.
If the ordained priest is a pedophile, does it still count for him to forgive your sins.
54 posted on
11/15/2014 6:32:21 PM PST by
Old Yeller
(D.A.M.N. - Deport All Muslims Now! Starting in the White House.)
To: Old Yeller; murron
Old Yeller, the validity of the Sacrament does not depend upon sinlessness on the part of the priest. If it did, nobody could EVER be sure he had received the Sacrament, since nobody can know the possibly hidden sins on another person's soul.
The Sacrament is effective ex opere operato --- that is, "by the work worked." Jesus gives the absolution: it is not based on the priest's merit.
56 posted on
11/15/2014 7:12:57 PM PST by
Mrs. Don-o
("Justice and judment are the foundation of His throne." - Psalm 89:14)
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