On Easter night the Risen Christ gave to his Apostles his own power to forgive sins: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…. Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  (John 20:21-23)

“The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship.”   (CCC 1468)