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Pope Francis Eases Path to Absolution for Abortion for a Year Pope Francis Eases Path to Absolution for Abortion
(about 5 hours later)
ROME — Pope Francis announced Tuesday that all Roman Catholic priests would be empowered to offer absolution for the “sin of abortion” during the church’s Holy Year of Mercy, which begins in December. ROME — Pope Francis announced Tuesday that all Roman Catholic priests would be empowered to offer absolution for the “sin of abortion” during the church’s Holy Year of Mercy, which begins in December.
“I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision,” Francis said in a statement released by the Vatican. “What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.” “I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision,” Francis said in a statement issued by the Vatican. “What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.”
Francis’s offer is not without precedent — Pope John Paul II enabled priests to offer the same absolution during the last Holy Year, in 2000 — yet it underscores his broader push to make Catholicism more merciful and welcoming. Francis’ offer is not without precedent — Pope John Paul II enabled priests to offer the same absolution during the last Holy Year, in 2000 — yet it shows his broader push to make Catholicism more merciful and welcoming.
Later this month, Francis is scheduled to visit Cuba and the United States and then return to the Vatican for a pivotal October meeting on whether the church will soften its approach on social issues such as homosexuality and whether Catholics who have divorced and remarried without an annulment may receive the sacraments. Later this month, Francis is scheduled to visit Cuba and the United States and then return to the Vatican for a pivotal October meeting on whether the church will soften its approach on social issues like homosexuality and whether Catholics who have divorced and remarried without an annulment may receive the sacraments.
Vatican officials noted that neither Francis nor the church is changing their opposition to abortion. Under Roman Catholic canon law, abortion brings automatic excommunication unless the person receiving or performing the procedure confesses and receives absolution. Abortion is considered a “reserved sin,” meaning that permission to grant forgiveness usually must come from a bishop. Vatican officials noted that Francis is not changing his opposition to abortion, nor is the church. Under Roman Catholic canon law, abortion brings automatic excommunication unless the person receiving or performing it confesses and receives absolution. Abortion is considered a “reserved sin,” meaning that permission to grant forgiveness usually must come from a bishop.
Though most bishops in the United States have already empowered their priests on the issue, many in other countries have not — meaning women seeking absolution can face delays, obstacles or rejection. Francis’s edict effectively streamlines the process for a single year. Though most bishops in the United States have already empowered their priests on the issue, many in other countries have not — meaning women seeking absolution can face delays, obstacles or rejection. Francis’ edict effectively streamlines the process for a single year.
“All priests will be ready to absolve women who have had an abortion and have repented — all over the world, for a whole year,” said the Rev. Federico Lombardi the Vatican’s chief spokesman. “It’s a widening of the church’s mercy on what is such a dramatic and widespread issue.” “All priests will be ready to absolve women who have had an abortion and have repented — all over the world, for a whole year,” said the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican’s chief spokesman. “It’s a widening of the church’s mercy on what is such a dramatic and widespread issue.”
Candida R. Moss, professor of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame, said that Pope Francis’s statement was not a doctrinal shift, but that it might serve to alert women who have felt disenfranchised by the church that they are welcome to return. Candida R. Moss, professor of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame, said that Francis’ statement was not a doctrinal shift, but that it might serve to alert women who have felt disenfranchised by the church that they are welcome to return. “Even though John Paul II used much the same language, and forgiveness has always been available — albeit through more formal channels — that message wasn’t out there because the rhetoric that accompanies abortion is so elevated that it eclipses the church’s teaching on forgiveness and mercy,” she said in a statement.
“Even though John Paul II used much the same language, and forgiveness has always been available — albeit through more formal channels — that message wasn’t out there because the rhetoric that accompanies abortion is so elevated that it eclipses the church’s teaching on forgiveness and mercy,” she said in a statement. Popes have been celebrating holy years since 1300, when Boniface VIII summoned pilgrims to Rome because travel to the Holy Land was too dangerous. Traditionally, the church has offered indulgences for an array of sins during these “Jubilee” years, which are celebrated every 25 years. Christians are urged to do penance and, if possible, make a pilgrimage to Rome.
Popes have been celebrating holy years since 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII summoned pilgrims to Rome because travel to the Holy Land was too dangerous. Traditionally, the church has offered indulgences for an array of sins during these “Jubilee” years, which are celebrated every 25 years. Christians are urged to do penance and, if possible, make a pilgrimage to Rome.
In March, Francis used his papal discretion to call the “extraordinary” jubilee that begins in December. Two months later, with less notice, the Vatican announced that during the Holy Year, priests would be able to offer absolution for abortion, a move likely to please many liberal Catholics.In March, Francis used his papal discretion to call the “extraordinary” jubilee that begins in December. Two months later, with less notice, the Vatican announced that during the Holy Year, priests would be able to offer absolution for abortion, a move likely to please many liberal Catholics.
Interestingly, Francis on Tuesday also made a move that may appeal to some conservative Catholics by including priests with the schismatic Society of St. Pius X among those empowered to offer indulgences during the Holy Year.Interestingly, Francis on Tuesday also made a move that may appeal to some conservative Catholics by including priests with the schismatic Society of St. Pius X among those empowered to offer indulgences during the Holy Year.
Known as the Lefebvrist movement, the Society of St. Pius X is a controversial, breakaway group of traditionalists who reject the reforms the Second Vatican Council approved in the 1960s. The previous pope, Benedict XVI, sought to repair their breach with the Vatican and bring them back into the church. But the effort floundered after it was discovered that one of their bishops was giving talks denying the extent of the Holocaust. Known as the Lefebvrist movement, the Society of St. Pius X is a breakaway group of traditionalists who reject the reforms the Second Vatican Council approved in the 1960s. The previous pope, Benedict XVI, sought to repair their breach with the Vatican. But the effort foundered after it was discovered that one of their bishops was giving talks denying the extent of the Holocaust.
Reconciliation talks have continued under Francis, and he said in his statement on Tuesday, “I trust that in the near future, solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors” of the Society of St. Pius X. Reconciliation talks have continued under Francis, and he said in his statement on Tuesday, “I trust that in the near future, solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors” of the society.
Francis has also sought to advance his environmental agenda, declaring Sept. 1 the first World Day of Prayer for Creation. When he announced it last month, he established it as an annual event for the Catholic Church. He said he was following the lead of Orthodox Christian churches, which have been praying for the environment on this date for decades. Francis has also sought to advance his environmental agenda, declaring Sept. 1 the first World Day of Prayer for Creation. When he announced it last month, he established it as an annual event and said he was following the lead of Orthodox Christian churches, which have been praying for the environment on this date for decades.
Francis’s involvement has elevated the cause, with religious groups of many faiths around the world now joining in.