Pope: Priests Can Forgive Abortions

[graciew]

Confession,Reconciliation. Go to our priests.

St John Vianney,Cura de Ars,please pray for us all and thank you in advance!

 

[ctb95]

The SSPX situation and the abortion situation are both very positive steps in the right direction.

 

[Weeorphan]

Pope Francis needs to take a lesson in clarity of communication. His shoot-from-the-hip off- the-cuff remarks do a lot of damage. Have ANY of his advisers had the courage to tell him?
Cardinal Burke knows what happens if anything like negative feedback is said to the Pope.

 

[JoeFreedom]

You’re talking about a priest who knew he was unable to lift the sanction and absolve, but deliberately deceived penitent(s) and said the prayers of absolution anyway?

Because it’s done anonymously. A confessor would contact his ordinary and assert only that there is a penitent who appears to have incurred excommunication. The confessor would request delegation to lift the sanction and absolve, and the ordinary would grant it. No confidentiality would be breached.

Only when it’s misunderstood…

So I’m still unclear and have the same questions as Paganus. If one went to confession and had what he/she thought was a valid confession prior to the year of mercy’s grant to priests to absolve this sin and the priest absolved him/her of the sin of abortion, is the confessor still in the state of mortal sin if the priest did not have this special grant to absolve this sin? What if the priest was unaware of this special grant? How would that make the person confessing still guilty if one thought one were forgiven if the person confessing knew nothing of the Canon law?

 

[Don_Ruggero]

So I’m still unclear and have the same questions as Paganus. If one went to confession and had what he/she thought was a valid confession prior to the year of mercy’s grant to priests to absolve this sin and the priest absolved him/her of the sin of abortion, is the confessor still in the state of mortal sin if the priest did not have this special grant to absolve this sin? What if the priest was unaware of this special grant? How would that make the person confessing still guilty if one thought one were forgiven if the person confessing knew nothing of the Canon law?

First, to clarify your terminology:
confessor = priest hearing confession
penitent = person who is confessing

Second: many of us have already the faculty to lift this excommunication, by virtue of the grant of faculties we already possess. I know, for example, the faculties that I possess by grant of the law itself by virtue of my canonical appointments as well as special concessions by my bishop.

This issue actually impinges several issues; the easiest way to resolve your concern is that if the confessor acted, you should presume that he knows what he is doing rather than presume that he does not.

Our faculties are granted both by law and by decree of the bishop…but the decree is not public. Each priest would know what was contained in the grant he received.

 

[Peter_J]

Here in lies what might be the biggest, most common, and arguably the most dangerous misconception on abortion and automatic excommunication.

I’m not sure that’s the biggest one, but it is one.

 

[JoeFreedom]

First, to clarify your terminology:
confessor = priest hearing confession
penitent = person who is confessing

Second: many of us have already the faculty to lift this excommunication, by virtue of the grant of faculties we already possess. I know, for example, the faculties that I possess by grant of the law itself by virtue of my canonical appointments as well as special concessions by my bishop.

This issue actually impinges several issues; the easiest way to resolve your concern is that if the confessor acted, you should presume that he knows what he is doing rather than presume that he does not.

Our faculties are granted both by law and by decree of the bishop…but the decree is not public. Each priest would know what was contained in the grant he received.

I’m sorry, I may not be all that bright when it comes to this type of stuff and although I guess I’m trying to get a yes or no answer, it’s probably not that easy. When you say “many of us” are you referring to we the penitents or we the confessors? And if it is we the penitents, how do we possess the faculties to un-excommunicate ourselves? What are these faculties?

Okay, I understand I should presume the priest (confessor) knew if he had the right or not the right to absolve abortion. However, supposing the confessor was not able to lift excommunication and/or forgive abortion, if the penitent confessed, why should he/she not be absolved if the priest deliberately did something he shouldn’t. I am all 100% Catholic and I love my faith, but these are the things that make Protestants hate us because if I, a smart person, a faithful person, can’t understand this, it will make it difficult to convert others to our faith. To me, if I confess and get absolution, I believe I have been absolved. It is not up to me to ask the confessor if he has rights to absolve of abortion, especially if I do not know. Why should I be subjected to eternal damnation simply because the priest did something wrong. This is not the loving forgiving God I love and worship, nor would it want to be. Please explain.

Are these penitents forgiven or not?

 

[JoeFreedom]

After a bit more research, I’ve found the answer I’ve been looking for.

Yes.

Yes, the penitent is absolved of the sin of abortion.

Link to letter

The below is part of a letter written to a priest from a woman who had an abortion:

Let me clear up at least one concern. You can confess the sin of abortion to and receive absolution from any priest. The 1983 code of canon law no longer classifies it as a reserved sin, that is, one only the bishop can absolve. Part of the reason is that it has unfortunately become so common. As you have experienced, that fact does not take away from the terrible feeling of aloneness and isolation. Abortion still is one of seven offenses which bring automatic excommunication, but when the priest gives you absolution, the excommunication is lifted and you can return to communion.

God bless,

Fr. Phil Bloom

Other Questions

 

[JoeFreedom]

Here’s more. And while I personally believe that the secular media is complicit in its misunderstanding of Catholic teaching (see article below) and spreading misinterpretations of what the Pope has said, I also believe that Pope Francis may not be the best in expressing what it is exactly he is saying or explaining it well enough, especially since there are so many Catholics (and non-Catholics) who don’t understand or know their faith. Obviously with the fullness of the faith expressed in the Catholic Church, it is near impossible to know it all, especially when one were to be a convert like myself. There, to me at least, are often things that are left to be “read between the lines” and implications to be made when the Pope speaks. Leaving things unsaid and/or unclear can easily lead to confusion, and the media helps none.

I’ve found more information in this article at Catholic World Report.

 

[JimG]

Additional clarification here.

 

[Gorgias]

So I’m still unclear and have the same questions as Paganus. If one went to confession and had what he/she thought was a valid confession prior to the year of mercy’s grant to priests to absolve this sin and the priest absolved him/her of the sin of abortion, is the confessor still in the state of mortal sin if the priest did not have this special grant to absolve this sin?

If you received absolution, you’re good to go.

In other words, if the priest absolved you, it means that either he had the delegation to lift the penalty, or that he discerned that you weren’t under the penalty and just absolved you. Either way, you’re good.

What if the priest was unaware of this special grant? How would that make the person confessing still guilty if one thought one were forgiven if the person confessing knew nothing of the Canon law?

As the venerable don says: priests know what faculties have been given to them.