The Forgiveness of Sins

One objection that many non-Catholics have to the Catholic Faith is the teaching and practice which concerns the confession of our sins. The basic non-Catholic argument goes something like this: man cannot forgive our sins; God alone can forgive our sins; therefore, to have our sins forgiven, we must go directly to God. In light of this, the non-Catholic argues that when the Catholic confesses his sins to (before, or in the presence of) a priest, he is seeking the forgiveness only God can give from a man who cannot forgive our sins. In the least, then, it is a useless practice. At worst, it is idolatrous: setting up man in the place of God. Thus, in yet another way, the non-Catholic thinks he has discovered the man-centered-ness of Catholicism as well as the non-biblical nature of its teaching. After all, the Bible only teaches forgiveness of sins directly from God, right? Much can be said on this subject. I have chosen to include here a short article which begins to address some of these non-Catholic concerns. I hope it helps towards a better understanding of authentic Catholic teaching on this matter as well as the truth and importance of it.