Pope Extends Forgiveness to those Who've Had Abortions and Urges Priests to do the Same

Jan Bentz : Nov 22, 2016
LifeSiteNews.com

"I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life. In the same way, however, I can and must state that there is no sin that God's mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father."

(Rome)—[LifeSiteNews] In an apostolic letter to close the Year of Mercy, published this morning, Pope Francis has extended the provisions allowing priests to forgive abortions. He also extends the ability of priests within the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X to hear confessions, while indicating a hope that the Society would gain regular status in the Church. (Photo credit: a katz/Shutterstock.com/via LifeSiteNews.com)

Priests henceforth will be able to "absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion," he writes in the letter, called "Misericordia et Misera." "The provision I had made in this regard, limited to the duration of the Extraordinary Holy Year, is hereby extended, notwithstanding anything to the contrary."

At the same time Francis strongly reiterated the Church's condemnation of abortion as "grave sin," since "it puts an end to an innocent life." He urged every priest to "be a guide, support, and comfort to penitents on this journey of special reconciliation."

The pope marked the close of the Year of Mercy on Sunday with a large Mass in St. Peter's Square and the closing of the Door of Mercy. The apostolic letter is intended to "point out the path" for the future and outline regulations that will stretch beyond the end of the Holy Year.

About the SSPX, the pope writes:

For the Jubilee Year I had also granted that those faithful who, for various reasons, attend churches officiated by the priests of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, can validly and licitly receive the sacramental absolution of their sins. For the pastoral benefit of these faithful, and trusting in the good will of their priests to strive with God's help for the recovery of full communion in the Catholic Church, I have personally decided to extend this faculty beyond the Jubilee Year, until further provisions are made, lest anyone ever be deprived of the sacramental sign of reconciliation through the Church's pardon...

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