Sin harms our relationship with God and with the Body of Christ, the Church
So Jesus wanted to give us a way to be reconciled to both simultaneously
The priest acts as a representative of the Church and of Christ (2 Cor 2:10)
Some say the apostles forgiving sins was a one-time thing
But the Bible shows the opposite
Paul forgave sins in 2 Cor 2:10 says God gave the apostles “the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:18)
James commanded verbal confession in James 5:16
@JeremyMcLellan Source? Protoevangelium of Jacob states Joachim and Anna lived in Jerusalem , see St. Anna Church in Jerusalem , why are you lying? For what gain? To please the child rapists and goat minglers?