Q. 1. What do you mean that the Sacrament of Confession is prophesied in Psalm 32?

A. 1. In Psalm 32:5, it states:

"Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

This biblical passage of the Old Testament echoes the Sacrament of Confession, true repentance, and God's forgiveness through absolution." A biblical passage must be taken in context of the entire Bible, including the New Testament. Individual passages or portions of passages never provide a full interpretation of God's revelation to mankind.

This biblical passage does not echo one confessing his sins directly to God as is implemented by all the Protestant religions. To understand the fullness of the passage, one must understand God's meaning of "and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

How does a Protestant know if God forgave the guilt of his sin(s)? He will never know; he can only assume.

In order for a sinner to know that he has truly been absolved of the guilt of his sin(s), he must hear the voice of the Catholic priest who is Jesus' ambassador on earth, appointed to forgive sins. He must receive a penance that is the tool to removing one's guilt.

"If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." [John 20:23]

By confessing directly to God, one does not receive a penance as is required for the guilt of one's sins to be forgiven.