Politics November 21, 2016
Pope Francis has extended the power of all Catholic priests to forgive the “grave sin” of abortion.
Declaring that we are living in a “time of mercy,” he made the announcement in an apostolic letter released Monday.
Allowing priests to forgive women who have had abortions was a symbolic gesture for the Catholic community. Before this directive, the power to forgive penitents for abortion was previously reserved for bishops or special confessors.
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Pope Francis, however, made it clear that while forgiveness has been made more accessible, the Church still does not support abortion. “I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life,” the Pope said.
But despite that, he also stressed the importance and significance of God’s mercy.
“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,” Pope Francis said. “May every priest, therefore, be a guide, support and comfort to penitents on this journey of special reconciliation.”
Pope Francis has made forgiveness a hallmark of his papacy.
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