I’m left thinking that, if the pope says, “this is the merciful thing to do”, it’s pretty difficult as a bishop to say “no thanks – after the year is up, I’m going to go back to being miserly with mercy.”
It doesn’t seem that way. The two are distinct issues – related only by the ways in which the majority of the Church doesn’t understand the nuances and complexities of canon law.
I can kind of understand that logic. How many diocese are still doing it this way though?I’m left thinking that, if the pope says, “this is the merciful thing to do”, it’s pretty difficult as a bishop to say “no thanks – after the year is up, I’m going to go back to being miserly with mercy.”
I suggest thinking of it as an amnesty period like that of library overdue fines or traffic and parking ticket fines. There are many people that feel they’ve got in too deep to recover and so they turn their back on the law. When given an opportunity to confess and amend with the opportunity of a fresh start, many people feel permission to ascend like they didn’t have before. That concept of ‘amnesty’ is a real demonstration of mercy.I’m left thinking that, if the pope says, “this is the merciful thing to do”, it’s pretty difficult as a bishop to say “no thanks – after the year is up, I’m going to go back to being miserly with mercy.”
Yes, I was concerned with that too.
I understand that there are some dioceses in Europe which still require a bishop to be involved - either directly or indirectly. As for why the Pope didn’t make it a permanent thing - probably out of respect for Bishops’ governance of their own dioceses (the principle of subsidiarity - decisions made at the lowest appropriate level). Of course, his actions contradict that (at least temporarily) but the ultimate decision whether to continue to delegate the faculty or not after the year is up will (probably)still be up to the diocesan bishop.
I just hope people do not think he is saying it is okay - that abortions can be acceptable and all will be forgiven. I didn’t read the complete statement, but knowing how his words get twisted around.
To be fair, though, he is saying “all will be forgiven”…!
yes I understand, but people who have never been brought up In church or know very little about Christianity may think it is like a green
yes I understand, but people who have never been brought up In church or know very little about Christianity may think it is like a green
I understand what you’re saying, but it still seems odd. If the Church were “giving the green light for abortion”, she wouldn’t say “abortion can be forgiven,” but rather, “abortion doesn’t need to be forgiven”… right?
not necessarily.I understand what you’re saying, but it still seems odd. If the Church were “giving the green light for abortion”, she wouldn’t say “abortion can be forgiven,” but rather, “abortion doesn’t need to be forgiven”… right?
Hopefully some of those people watched the Pope’s virtual audience on Friday when he twice called abortion killing a child (in spots where people would normally say ‘abort’, he instead said ‘kill’; see abcnews.go.com/2020/video/pope-francis-calls-los-angeles-mother-brave-woman-33551488 from 6:40 to 7:50).
let’s hope they watched it then.
No more so than everyone being absolved of murder means it’s a green light to go out and shoot up the street. Or that everyone being absolved of theft means you have a green light to go rob a bank.
as with any sin, some are committed more than once.
I am sure abortion has had an impact on millions of lives and brought much sadness and grief. It certainly is nothing to be celebrated and we must continue to stress how harmful it is for everyone involved.