Absolve Vs. Forgive

[JP2Iloveyou]

how they are defined is really irrelevant. The point is that the Church has infallibly given priests the correct formula to use. It's the same thing when a priest changes the words to Mass. For example, I once heard a priest refer to the disciples as Jesus "best friends" in the Eucharistic prayer. It may be true, the Twelve Apostles probably were his best friends, especially Peter, James, and John. That doesn't give that priest the right to change the words the Church has given us though.

Dave, you are correct. I was under the impression this priest had been a regular confessor for you. Sorry.

[cmotherofpirl]

Even with Cmom's explanation, I still don't understand. At dictionary.com, Absolve and Forgive are pretty much the same...

Pal look at the definitions I posted. THey are not the same. I posted Catholic definitions not secular ones.

[cmotherofpirl]

how they are defined is really irrelevant. The point is that the Church has infallibly given priests the correct formula to use. It's the same thing when a priest changes the words to Mass. For example, I once heard a priest refer to the disciples as Jesus "best friends" in the Eucharistic prayer. It may be true, the Twelve Apostles probably were his best friends, especially Peter, James, and John. That doesn't give that priest the right to change the words the Church has given us though.

Dave, you are correct. I was under the impression this priest had been a regular confessor for you. Sorry.

Dave really needs to talk to the priest.

This particular priest might use the words interchangably.

We don't know, only the priest does.

Dave if you could get back to us after you talk to him, that would be great.

[jmjtina]

Priests absolve. God forgives.

ABSOLUTION. In the sacrament of penance, the act by which a qualified priest, having the necessary jurisdiction, remits the guilt and penalty due to sin. The new formula of absolution, since the Second Vatican Council, is: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” To which the penitent answers, “Amen.” In this formula the essential words are: “I absolve you.” For centuries, the Church used the deprecatory form of absolution, e.g., “May God absolve you from your sins.” This was really declarative in meaning, as is clear from the fact that in the whole of tradition the priest who absolved was looked upon as a judge who actually absolved, even though he used the subjunctive mood to express his affirmative judgment. (Etym. Latin absolvere, to free from; to absolve, acquit.)

FORGIVENESS. Pardon or remission of an offense. The Catholic Church believes that sins forgiven are actually removed from the soul (John 20) and not merely covered over by the merits of Christ. Only God can forgive sins, since he alone can restore sanctifying grace to a person who has sinned gravely and thereby lost the state of grace. God forgives sins to the truly repentant either immediately through an act of perfect contrition or mediately through a sacrament. The sacraments primarily directed to the forgiveness of sins are baptism and penance, and secondarily, under certain conditions, also the sacrament of anointing.

http://www.therealpresence.org/dictionary/dictaguide.htm

I marked it to favorites, that's a cool site.

[Paladin D]

Pal look at the definitions I posted. THey are not the same. I posted Catholic definitions not secular ones.

I understand now, lol thanks.