In Persona Christi refers to the authority given by Christ to the apostles and those apostles handing down that authority. The Catholic Church teaches that the priest ministers 'in persona Christi', which means "in the person of Christ." It means that in the moment of the Eucharistic consecration, and when the priest is listening to your sins in confession, Jesus is presently there, they are the words from Jesus. The priests, bishops, and the pope are acting in person on behalf of Jesus Christ in administering the sacraments. In Persona Christi should not be seen as a wall between God and us. It should be the exact opposite. Christ promises to be with the Church until the end of the age (see Matthew 28:20)

 

“When you forgive someone for what he or she has done, I forgive them too. For when I forgive- if, indeed, I need to forgive anything - I do it in Christ’s presence because of you.” (2 Corinthians 2:10)