Many abortion patients reported a religious affiliation—24% were Catholic, 17% were mainline Protestant, 13% were evangelical Protestant and 8% identified with some other religion. Thirty-eight percent of patients had no religious affiliation.
While many praised Pope Francis’ permission for priests to forgive abortions at the close of the Year of Mercy, I believe he was signaling blurred focus on that crime and sin. Confession/forgiveness of abortion exclusively with the bishops elevated the focus and concern. Allowing absolution from a priest gave the grave problem of abortion a sort of commonality I’m not comfortable with.
No matter what USCCB has voted, I believe Pope Francis has already signaled a change.
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