POPE FRANCIS PERMANENTLY GRANTS ALL PRIESTS POWER TO FORGIVE
ABORTION
In his Apostolic Letter “Misericordia et Misera“, marking the end of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis permanently granted the power to forgive abortions to all Priests. Previously and traditionally, only the Pope himself could forgive the sin of procuring an abortion.
Francis, as part of the Year of Mercy, had temporarily granted the faculty to all priests but has decided to make the change permanent.
In his letter, he wrote “Given this need, lest any obstacle arise between the request for reconciliation and God’s forgiveness, I henceforth grant to all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion. The provision I had made in this regard, limited to the duration of the Extraordinary Holy Year, is hereby extended, notwithstanding anything to the contrary.” Continue Reading