Hi,
I’m sorry, i’m not sure it is said that the priest is in ‘persona Christi’ @ Confession. He is a Minister empowered by Church through Christ.
I believe he encourages us to confess, and as a minister of the Sacrament celebrates God’s forgiveness with us.
Jhn 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “[b:2xbqy5ac]Receive the Holy Spirit.[/b:2xbqy5ac]
23 [b:2xbqy5ac]If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.[/b:2xbqy5ac]
Pentecost hasn’t happened yet. So the Spirit given here is of ‘New Creation’ an ontological change in their being.
[u:2xbqy5ac]Gen 2:7[/u:2xbqy5ac] then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and [b:2xbqy5ac]breathed into his nostrils the breath of life[/b:2xbqy5ac]; and man became a living being.
And this Spirit is passed on with the laying on of hands. Just as Moses passed on his authority by God to Joshua. [Num 27:15- 23] This is what happens in theOrdination of a priest. And Bishops since Peter.
CCC #1465 [b:2xbqy5ac]When he celebrates the sacrament of Penance,[/b:2xbqy5ac] the priest is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgment is both just and merciful. The priest is the sign and the instrument of God’s merciful love for the sinner.
God bless,
John