Why confess to a man who is also a sinner?

A priest’s own need for mercy does not cancel the authority Christ gave him. In confession, the priest acts as Christ’s ordained minister, while Christ Himself grants forgiveness.

Christ chose human ministers. After rising from the dead, Jesus breathed on the apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (Jn 20:22-23). He entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to fallible men, just as He entrusted preaching, Baptism, and the Eucharist to them. St. Paul describes ordained ministers as “ambassadors for Christ” through whom God appeals to His people (2 Cor 5:18-20).

The priest’s holiness is not the source of absolution. Sacraments work by Christ’s power, not by the personal perfection of the minister. When a sacrament is validly celebrated, Christ acts through it (CCC 1127-1128). A sinful priest can validly baptize, consecrate the Eucharist, and absolve sins because the grace comes from Christ. The priest acts as a servant of the sacrament, not its owner.

Priests also need confession. A priest remains a sinner in need of repentance, prayer, and sacramental absolution. He cannot absolve himself. He must confess to another priest. His personal experience of weakness can help him receive penitents with patience and mercy. The Church says the confessor should unite himself with Christ’s intention and charity, serving as a sign of the merciful Savior (CCC 1465-1466).

A priest’s serious misconduct still matters. His sins may make him unworthy and can cause terrible scandal. They should never be excused or hidden. Church authorities must address crimes and grave misconduct. Yet his personal sin does not automatically invalidate the sacraments he lawfully celebrates. The ancient Church rejected the Donatist claim that sacraments depend on the minister’s moral purity.

What happens in confession. You confess to God in the presence of His minister. With genuine contrition, you name your sins, accept a suitable penance, and receive absolution (CCC 1451, 1455-1456). The priest is bound by the absolute seal of confession and may never reveal what he hears (CCC 1467).

Do not wait for a sinless priest, since none exists. Look for a faithful confessor, speak honestly, and listen for Christ’s mercy in the words of absolution.