QUESTION:

7/21/2010: I have recently learned that Orthodox priests who are newly ordained are not permitted to hear confessions until granted the right by that priests Bishop. Does this mean when the laying of hand occurs the Priest is not given the power of that sacrament or is it just a local Orthodox tradition (by justistiction) to exclude the ability to be a confessor until the new Priest becomes more seasoned ? Please explaine this process to me.

ANSWER:

Presbyters / priests don't have "power" as individuals but the Church (whose head is the bishop) has that authority. The bishop delegates this authority to the presbyter at ordination, but the bishop may decide to withhold (functionally) for a while, until the newly ordained presbyter has acquired the experience and wisdom to give the assurance of forgiveness and reconciliation on behalf of the Church. In the Greek tradition, this is very common and sometimes a bishop reserves the administration of confession / reconciliation only to select presbyters.

Keyword: Right to hear confession | Other keywords: Confessions