Will this keep me from holy orders?

[baroda]

I am currently studying for the priesthood. I knew that procuring an abortion or encouraging one was an impediment to Holy orders. For some reason, unknown to me now, I didn’t think this applied to “the Morning after pill”. Obviously it is abortive, and when I was a teenager I supported my girlfriend when she decided to use it. God have mercy! I have no idea why I didn’t think of this until now? Should I pull out of seminary? What should I do?

God Bless

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

In order for an act to be a mortal sin, it must be objectively a mortal sin, the person must know that is a mortal sin, and the person must freely choose it. From what you say, you were just a teenager and didn’t know that using the morning after pill was a mortal sin. So it would not a mortal sin for you. If you didn’t know the full significance of the use of the morning after pill, you were not guilty of willing an abortion. If this is the case, then I don’t see a problem. However, there could still be a matter of scandal regarding those who might know about the situation. In any case, you do need to check with those in charge of your formation about this.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.