21.   Priests, first and foremost, hear confessions and grant absolution as agents of Jesus.

22.   She said he had heard their confessions and absolved them.

23.   Standing in the street outside the residence, he said Thursday that he heard the confessions of hostages for more than two hours.

24.   The first Irish-American among the Milwaukee-based, German-speaking Capuchins, he was ordained but never given authority to hear confessions or preach.

25.   The suspension means that Placa can no longer say Mass, hear confessions or perform other priestly duties.

26.   When asked what it might be like to hear a confession from Gruttadauria, the Rev. James Caddy said the broker could still be forgiven.

27.   White also heard confessions at the seminary and at Christ the King Monastery, a cloistered community of nuns in Delray Beach, Bosso said.

28.   Within a year he was asking Father Richard Lopez, the priest who had given his wife instruction in the faith, to hear his confession.

29.   Yet, while they professed piety, high-ranking friars daydreamed of lustful sex and rectors hearing confession by day also shared sweet nothings with married women at night.

30.   Padre Pio drew millions of followers worldwide who were struck by the aura of holiness he exuded while saying Mass and by the severity in which he heard confessions.