Abortion

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If you have had an abortion will the catholic faith absolove you from your sin or will you be ex-communicated from the catholic church.
 
jmszpak25 said:
If you have had an abortion will the catholic faith absolove you from your sin or will you be ex-communicated from the catholic church.
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The person in question would be be excommunicated, however, excommunication is never permanent, and anyone can be reconciled with the Church at any time.
 
Short answer: Getting an abortion gets one automatically excommunicated (known as latae sententiae excommunication for you egg-heads). One can be reconciled with the Church through the Sacrament of reconciliation.

One point I’m not sure of: usually, latae sententiae excommunication can only be lifted by appealing to the Holy See, but I seem to remember that permission was granted for the local ordinary to do it without that in the case of abortion, but don’t take that to the bank.
 
Yes the sin of abortion can be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconcilliation.

latae sententiae excommunication only goes in effect when the person committing the sin is aware of the penalty.

Even so, most of the US Bishop’s have given permission to the Priests in their diocese to lift the penalty in this case.
 
Thank you so much for your answers I have someone very close to me that is suffering inside thinking she will not be forgiven and I am taking her to confession today and she will be very relieved to know that the God that she always prayed to will forgive her of her sin so she can start to forgive herself. Thank God for our loving Lord
 
jmszpak25 said:
Thank you so much for your answers I have someone very close to me that is suffering inside thinking she will not be forgiven and I am taking her to confession today and she will be very relieved to know that the God that she always prayed to will forgive her of her sin so she can start to forgive herself. Thank God for our loving Lord
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What a wonderful thing you are doing for this person! She may also still grieve and hurt a lot inside even though this grave sin IS completely forgiven (if the penitent is truly sincere). The residual effects can be alleviated through much prayer. Remind her to Trust the Lord. She may want to attend a Rachel’s Vineyard or other ministry which helps those dealing with post abortion. Perhaps you will both get involved in a pro-life group and activities. There is much, much work to be done!

Thank God for the sacrament of Confession!! Thank you God for bringing these 2 people together and may You bring about a great goodness out of her tragedy.

God bless,
Mimi
 
the individual, if Catholic, was automatically excommunicated when they procured the abortion, or materially assisted someone else to get an abortion, or performed the abortion. Priests in most countries, including the US, have been given the faculty to lift that penalty, and to give absolution for that sin in the confessional. If the person was not aware of the penalty, or underage (below 18) it does not apply. Yes, abortion can be forgiven and absolved with confession and contrition.
 
Some people are under the mistaken impression that excommunication is a permanent thing. It is not. It is a penalty that underscores the seriousness of the offense, but with the purpose of bringing the person to repentance. The Church always desires to pour out Christ’s mercy.

When an excommunicated person repents, the excommunication can be lifted (sometimes immediately in the confessional, as in the case of abortion, and sometimes requiring recourse to a higher authority, e.g., bishop or Rome).
 
Thank you so much for all your help we just returned from confession and with alot of prayer and tears we made it thru. Please keep her in your prayers. God Bless you all
 
There’s a group called Rachel’s Vineyard that ministers to women who have had abortions - Fr Frank Pavone (of Priests for Life) is involved, so it’ll be a solidly Catholic organisation.

Your friend may find them helpful - they have online forums as well as organised weekend retreats. Their website is rachelsvineyard.org/
 
jmszpak25 said:
Thank you so much for all your help we just returned from confession and with alot of prayer and tears we made it thru. Please keep her in your prayers. God Bless you all
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Thank God for His mercy! And thank you for being such a good friend.
 
There are some forms of excommunication that can only be remitted in danger of death or by recourse to the Apostolic See (according to the Code). Abortion is not one of these.
 
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