Pope Francis, in major change, alters rules for women who've had abortions

[Mickey_Finn]

It’s a great thing.

 

[DlandFan06]

I’m really not sure about this. My mom’s not even sure about it either. Forgiveness is not a blank check nor is it a rubber stamp.

 

[friardchips]

Let me reiterate:

‘This last one is likely to have the most application today. As with all canonical penalties, there are conditions attached. The guilty person must act deliberately and freely, be over 17 years of age, and must not be acting inadvertently, but must know the law.’

IOW, it is highly unlikely that a practising Catholic - who understands what constitutes ‘mortal sin’ or even what ‘sin’ is - would have an abortion…

…!

 

[friardchips]

Also: ewtn.com/expert/answers/abortio2.htm

A snippet to take the alarmist frenzy away:

*'NOTE WELL To actually incur the excommunication one must know that it is an excommunicable offense at the time of the abortion. Canon 1323 provides that the following do not incur a sanction, those who are not yet 16, are unaware of a law, do not advert to it or are in error about its scope, were forced or had an unforeseeable accident, acted out of grave fear, or who lacked the use of reason (except culpably, as by drunkenness). Thus a woman forced by an abusive husband to have an abortion would not incur an excommunication, for instance, whereas someone culpably under the influence of drugs or alcohol would (canon 1325).

In any case, whether one has been excommunicated or not, the sin of abortion must be confessed as the taking of innocent human life (5th Commandment). If the penitent did not know about this law at the time of the abortion then he or she was NOT excommunicated. If the person knew about the law but there were extenuating circumstances (such as mentioned above concerning c. 1323) then these factors should be mentioned to the confessor. He will say whether he has the faculty from the bishop to absolve from this excommunication or whether he even needs to. If he does not, he will privately and secretly obtain absolution from the bishop or send the person to a confessor who has that power.’*

 

[Memaw]

Hello,

Yes, many bishops in the USA have done this already and so this only has an effect on those priests who have not already received the faculty to remit the penalty. It is not really a “major change” and no rules have been altered. Other than that, the story is right on target! It is actually interesting that the story (correctly) talks about excommunication but the pope didn’t mention that–he only spoke of “the sin” of abortion and how all priests can forgive it.

Dan

The Pope has the authority to grant ALL priests that privilege. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Memaw]

Also: ewtn.com/expert/answers/abortio2.htm

A snippet to take the alarmist frenzy away:

*'NOTE WELL To actually incur the excommunication one must know that it is an excommunicable offense at the time of the abortion. Canon 1323 provides that the following do not incur a sanction, those who are not yet 16, are unaware of a law, do not advert to it or are in error about its scope, were forced or had an unforeseeable accident, acted out of grave fear, or who lacked the use of reason (except culpably, as by drunkenness). Thus a woman forced by an abusive husband to have an abortion would not incur an excommunication, for instance, whereas someone culpably under the influence of drugs or alcohol would (canon 1325).

In any case, whether one has been excommunicated or not, the sin of abortion must be confessed as the taking of innocent human life (5th Commandment). If the penitent did not know about this law at the time of the abortion then he or she was NOT excommunicated. If the person knew about the law but there were extenuating circumstances (such as mentioned above concerning c. 1323) then these factors should be mentioned to the confessor. He will say whether he has the faculty from the bishop to absolve from this excommunication or whether he even needs to. If he does not, he will privately and secretly obtain absolution from the bishop or send the person to a confessor who has that power.’*

This needs to be discussed between the priest and penitent as each one is different. Hardly anyone today doesn’t know it is forbidden by the Catholic Church to get an abortion or to assist someone else to do so. God Bless, Memaw

 

[regression]

I’m really not sure about this. My mom’s not even sure about it either. Forgiveness is not a blank check nor is it a rubber stamp.

What do you mean a blank check or a rubber stamp? From the Pope’s letter:

“I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.”

w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20150901_lettera-indulgenza-giubileo-misericordia.html

That isn’t a blank check. It is directed towards those who have a contrite heart and seek forgivness.

 

[HCTC]

And then there is this in Pope Francis’ letter:

“Furthermore, the Jubilee Indulgence can also be obtained for the deceased. We are bound to them by the witness of faith and charity that they have left us. Thus, as we remember them in the Eucharistic celebration, thus we can, in the great mystery of the Communion of Saints, pray for them, that the merciful Face of the Father free them of every remnant of fault and strongly embrace them in the unending beatitude.”

The letter in total is so compelling that I can hardly breathe… But mercy for my deceased father has been a concern of mine…

For me another impact of this miraculous letter that presents so beautifuly the limitless mercy of Lord God Almighty is that my heart feels opened to people in my life for whom I have held deep seated resentments… It’s very difficult to articulate, but I am profoundly moved.

Thanks be to God!

 

[k5thbeatle]

Could someone please clarify something for me that I am confused on regarding this entire matter? Does this mean that previously that anyone who had an abortion could not be forgiven??? No matter how sorry and contrite they were? I probably don’t have this right but isn’t every sin open for forgiveness no matter what if the person is truly sorry and contrite? If so, then how is this really news? Or am I missing something here?

 

[regression]

Could someone please clarify something for me that I am confused on regarding this entire matter? Does this mean that previously that anyone who had an abortion could not be forgiven??? No matter how sorry and contrite they were? I probably don’t have this right but isn’t every sin open for forgiveness no matter what if the person is truly sorry and contrite? If so, then how is this really news? Or am I missing something here?

NOOO. Only a bishop can offer absolution for the sin of abortion. In a lot of countries (including the USA), bishops have said that priests could absolve the sin. So, the sin of abortion was and is ALWAYS forgivable (if the person is truly sorry), just prior to this, a person might have to go to a bishop to be absolved.

 

[dans0622]

NOOO. Only a bishop can offer absolution for the sin of abortion. In a lot of countries (including the USA), bishops have said that priests could absolve the sin. So, the sin of abortion was and is ALWAYS forgivable (if the person is truly sorry), just prior to this, a person might have to go to a bishop to be absolved.

Hello,

Well…not really. As I said in another thread:

It would perhaps be better if the Pope maintained an appropriate distinction between sins and penalties. Just because a person commits a sin such as abortion does not mean she is certainly excommunicated.

A priest can forgive any sin (with one exception–he can’t forgive an accomplice’s sin against the 6th Commandment) if the penitent is contrite.

Penalties, such as excommunication, are a different matter and the priest is typically not able to remit/pardon excommunications entirely on his own authority. With the (canonical) crime of abortion, it is common for priests to be given the authority to pardon the excommunication.

Even though the Pope (here and elsewhere) has only spoken of the “sin” of abortion, it seems clear that he is addressing the penalty.

That being said, the Eastern Catholic Churches do have a notion of “reserved sins” and abortion is one of them that is reserved to the eparchial bishop. The Pope is addressing his remarks to all Catholic priests, East and West, so his use of terminology is more conducive to the Eastern perspective.

Dr. Ed Peters has a new post on this topic and it’s worth reading: canonlawblog.wordpress.com/2…-for-abortion/

Dan

 

[meltzerboy]

What do you mean a blank check or a rubber stamp? From the Pope’s letter:

"I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it."

w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20150901_lettera-indulgenza-giubileo-misericordia.html

That isn’t a blank check. It is directed towards those who have a contrite heart and seek forgivness.

There is also the word “discretion,” which apparently means that if the priest does not believe the penitent is sincere, he does not have to absolve them of the sin of abortion (or any other sin, I believe). Does what I am saying conform to what the Church teaches?

 

[regression]

There is also the word “discretion,” which apparently means that if the priest does not believe the penitent is sincere, he does not have to absolve them of the sin of abortion (or any other sin, I believe). Does what I am saying conform to what the Church teaches?

I believe that is correct.

 

[ARSpade]

MSNBC being MSNBC: mobile.twitter.com/michaelbd/status/638810444963164161

 

[CaptFun]

The headline singles out women. The Pope’s announcement is broader giving priests the right to forgive the sin of abortion. Men of course have sometimes been a partner to this crime in encouraging it, paying for it, and joining the woman in supporting it.

I do think of the woman who “has” the abortion first. But what of the person who performs the abortions? If ONE … probably many, many. Could they just confess to murder(s) or must abortion be specified given the particular excommunication attached to that sin?

Will priests be given power during that year to also lift the incurred excommunications as part of their absolution?

The BEST news is that more souls will probably benefit from these changes. And gain peace to begin again and put the sins of their pasts behind them.

 

[DavidFilmer]

There are good pastoral reasons for reserving absolution to the Ordinary. Many women confessing abortion may have emotional trauma and would benefit from counseling. Not all parish priests can offer the skills or resources to help these women, and some may do more emotional harm than good in such a delicate situation.

 

[sweetcharity]

I’m truly confused.

First I never had an abortion, but if I did and I went to my priest and confessed my sin, wasn’t I forgiven? I understand that I had to be sincere and contrite in confessing my sin, but don’t I also have to be sincere and contrite in confessing that I stole a candy bar from the corner store?

 

[regression]

I’m truly confused.

First I never had an abortion, but if I did and I went to my priest and confessed my sin, wasn’t I forgiven? I understand that I had to be sincere and contrite in confessing my sin, but don’t I also have to be sincere and contrite in confessing that I stole a candy bar from the corner store?

If you live in the USA or any other country where the bishops allow the priest to absolve the sin, then yes. I am not sure WHEN in the USA that bishops allow priest to absolve the sin though.

 

[Midwest88]

It’s rather amazing though the misinformation given this story on some of the secular news sites.

The media is always hungry to show that the supposed archaic backwards RCC is now becoming “modern.” They’ll make any kindness as a “win” for the modernists.

 

[Midwest88]

No teaching is being changed. Nothing is being said that makes it less grave of a sin then before.

It still requires sacramental confession with a priest. Nothing is changing there.

It merely states that a priest does not need to get permission from a bishop before giving absolution. That’s it.

Incidentally, it’s been this way in the United States for a very long time.

Basically this. The Pope is just giving more power to the local priest, which is good, in order to spread mercy and forgiveness. I think one of the key actions here is the woman who had an abortion is to seek out forgiveness by church authority (the priest). The person must first come to realize the grave error of their ways, to reflect on it enough to understand that it must be repented out loud, and to seek out forgiveness the correct way - to ask either the bishop or a priest.

“Go, and now sin no more.”