Yes, Jesus not only forgave sins himself, he also conferred on the -> CHURCH the mission and the power to free men from their sins. [981-983, 986-987]
Through the ministry of the -> PRIEST, the penitent receives God’s forgiveness, and his guilt is wiped away as completely as if it had never existed. A priest can do this only because Jesus allows him to participate in his own divine power to forgive sins.
Priests have received from God a power that he has given neither to angels nor to archangels. … God above confirms what priests do here below.
