Edmonton Journal

Francis lets priests forgive abortions

Catholic leader applies vision of merciful church

- FRANCES D’EMILIO The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is applying his vision of a merciful church to women who have had abortions, easing their path toward forgivenes­s and saying he realizes some felt they had no choice but to make “this agonizing and painful decision.”

In a letter published Tuesday by the Holy See, Francis said he was allowing all rankand-file priests to grant absolution during the Holy Year of Mercy he has proclaimed, which runs Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.

The Roman Catholic Church views abortion as such a grave sin that it put the matter of granting forgivenes­s in the hands of a bishop, who could either hear the woman’s confession himself or delegate it to a priest who is expert in such situations.

Now, Francis is making it possible for women to bypass this formalized process in the approachin­g special year while putting the stress on “contrite” hearts.

In a statement after the Pope’s letter, the Vatican made clear that “forgivenes­s of the sin of abortion does not condone abortion nor minimize its grave effects. The newness is clearly Pope Francis’ pastoral approach.”

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who will be hosting Francis in the city later this month during the papal U.S. pilgrimage, noted that priests in his diocese have had the authority to forgive the sin of abortion for about three decades.

Francis made clear he isn’t playing down the gravity of abortion, which the church essentiall­y views as equivalent to murder. But he emphasized that abortion is an often anguished choice for women.

“The tragedy of abortion is experience­d by some with a superficia­l awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails,” Francis wrote. “Many others on the other hand, although experienci­ng this moment as a defeat, believe that they have no other option.

“I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision,” he wrote.

“The forgivenes­s of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the sacrament of confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconcilia­tion with the Father.”

Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, executive director of a New York-based abortion rights organizati­on, National Latina Institute for Reproducti­ve Health, called it significan­t the Pope “recognizes the need to talk about abortion.” But she said Francis’ statement perpetuate­s the idea that women who have an abortion should be ashamed.

Maureen Tilley, a theologian at Fordham University, noted that under some circumstan­ces, a woman who has had an abortion is automatica­lly excommunic­ated if she wasn’t under coercion or suffering from a psychologi­cal problem that affected her decision-making.

To be readmitted to the church, it’s customary for the woman to be asked to perform some penance.

 ?? RICCARDO DE LUCA/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Pope Francis is applying his vision of a merciful church to women who have had abortions.
RICCARDO DE LUCA/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Pope Francis is applying his vision of a merciful church to women who have had abortions.

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