The Sacrament of Penance (also commonly called the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession) is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church (known in Eastern Christianity as sacred mysteries), in which the faithful are absolved from sins committed after Baptism and they are reconciled with the Christian community. According to the current doctrine and practice of the Church, only those ordained as priests may grant absolution. (more…)

The power of the keys is that power given by our Blessed Lord to his Church (through Peter and other Apostles) in order to continue his works of salvation. It is the power to bind and loose. In simple words, it is the power to forgive sins. (Ref Matt 16 :19). Based on this power bestowed upon the apostles (as representatives of Christ), by the virtue of their priesthood, I wish to make certain comparative analysis that can only be comprehensible by Faith rather than reason. (more…)

Emperor of the East, Theodosius, gave memorable witness to his personal respect for the authority of the Priest when after ordering a horrible massacre of the citizens of Thessalonica (390), he accepted the rebuke of Bishop Ambrose and did public penance at the door of the Cathedral in Milan. (more…)

I wish to estimate these powers from the point of view of the divine authority bestowed upon the priests over the real body of Jesus Christ and the mystical body of Jesus Christ. (more…)

In his epistle to the Christians of Smyrna, St. Ignatius, Martyr, says that the priesthood is the most sublime of all created dignities: “The apex of dignities is the priesthood.” St. Ephrem calls it an infinite dignity: “The priesthood is an astounding miracle, great, immense, and infinite.” St. John Chrysostom says, that though its functions are performed on earth, the priesthood should be numbered among the things of heaven. (more…)