The Priest Is Only A Man. But...

The priest is only a man, a sinner like all of us, but in the moment of giving absolution he is Christ Himself Who forgives us…In the sacrament of reconciliation, we do not confess our sins to a mere mortal.  We whisper our transgression to Christ Himself through the ears of the priest, His representative…When you approach the confessional, know this that I Myself am waiting there for you.  I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul…Never permit fear of confession to keep you from the font of God’s mercy. 

Ven. Fulton J. Sheen