"Confession a top priority” Pope Benedict XVI tells priests

(20 Feb.2007):- Pope Benedict XVI said as only priests can forgive sins in Christ's name, they must make special efforts to be available to hear confessions and grant absolution. Meeting Feb. 19 with priests, who work full time hearing confessions in the basilicas of Rome,the Pope said "Christ has chosen us, dear priests, to be the only ones able to forgive sins in his name. Therefore, it is a specific ecclesial service that we must make a priority." Pope Benedict said all people looking for the comfort and consolation of Christ, should be able to find a priest to hear their confession, and experience the peace and the joy that flow from forgiveness. “The sacrament of reconciliation,” he said, “underlines the reality of sin, as well as the even greater reality of God's love and mercy.” The Pope said - "Experiencing the Lord's tenderness and forgiveness, the penitent is more easily urged to recognize the seriousness of sin and more decisive in avoiding it, in order to remain and grow in his newfound friendship with him.” Pope Benedict encouraged the priests to help the faithful use the Sacrament properly. “To do so,” he said, “confessors must learn as much as possible the background of their people, the problems they face and the spiritual problems they encounter. Above all we cannot preach forgiveness and reconciliation to others, if we do not experience these things personally.” Pope Benedict encouraged confessors to make frequent use of the sacrament themselves, so that they too have a fuller appreciation for the forgiveness offered by Christ through his priestly ministers. The Pontiff told the priests that since they are acting in God's name, they always must act out of a deep spiritual union with God that can be realized only through prayer.