[Iscool]

How can the apostles conceivably discern which sins to forgive, and which to retain, if they have no knowledge of those sins? Therefore, Jesus logically implies that people will TELL the apostles their sins.

I don't know why you'd find it incredible...There's not a single word/example about such a practice taking place in the scriptures...That would lead one to believe that the verse doesn't quite mean what you guys want it to mean...Especially since this breathing the Holy Spirit was something given to all the disciples, not just the apostles...

[Arthur McGowan]

Okay. Disciples. That wasn’t my point.

You gratuitously assert that my interpretation of the verse is mistaken.

The principle is: What is gratuitously asserted may be gratuitously denied.

[Arthur McGowan]

Where in the Scriptures does it say that Jesus and the apostles and disciples did nothing and said nothing that is not reported in the Scriptures?

[Elsie]

...There's not a single word/example about such a practice taking place in the scriptures...

Since when has THAT ever stopped Catholic non-biblical ritual?