X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Pope Francis extends power of priests to forgive abortion

23 Nov, 2016

According to a report by CNN, Pope Francis has extended the power of Catholic priests to forgive abortions, indefinitely. The pontiff made the announcement through an apostolic letter released on November 21, 2016.

The latest development follows another Church mandate, which gave priests the power to “absolve the sin of abortion”, established during the “Year of Mercy”, which ended on November 20, 2016.

Despite this emphasis on how God and the church’s forgiveness and mercy covers all types of transgressions, the Church still maintains their view of abortion as a “grave sin”.

But this development makes it easier for women who have had abortions to be absolved and be welcomed back into the Church.

“I can and must state that there is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father…”

photo: Wikipedia

photo: Wikipedia

“I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life,” stated the Pope in his letter. “In the same way, however, I can and must state that there is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father,” he wrote.

“May every priest, therefore, be a guide, support and comfort to penitents on this journey of special reconciliation…”

“May every priest, therefore, be a guide, support and comfort to penitents on this journey of special reconciliation,” continues the Pope in his letter. “I henceforth grant to all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion.”

Dating back to its early years, abortion has been viewed by the Church as a “moral evil”, maintaining the belief that the moment from “conception until death is sacred”. CNN further cited former Pope John Paul II’s view on the issue as simply “murder”.

“In the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis extended that permission to all priests for a year. Today he extended it indefinitely,” Jesuit Priest and Editor at America magazine Rev. James Martin told CNN. “It’s another gesture of mercy and welcome from a Pope whose hallmarks are mercy and welcome.”
Before the “Year of Mercy” started in December 2015, the Pope already revealed the Church’s stand on the matter.
“The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented,” the Pope said, recounting the women he’s met who have gone through the “agonizing and painful” process of abortions.
READ: Pope Francis changes annulment process of Catholic church worldwide

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

 

Partner Stories
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
Motherhood away from home
Motherhood away from home
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Pope Francis extends power of priests to forgive abortion
Share:
  • REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

    REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

    ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

  • REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

    REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

    ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.