Pope relaxes abortion forgiveness rules for a year

Pope Francis will allow priests to grant forgiveness for abortion to women and doctors during the upcoming Jubilee Year, saying that he wants to emphasize mercy.

In a letter published Tuesday, the Pope said that he understands that some people approach abortion with “superficial awareness” but that for others, it is a struggle that deserves deep reflection.

“I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal,” the pontiff wrote. “I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision. What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding of the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.

“The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father. For this reason too, I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.”

Catholicism views abortion as a grave sin that can even be punished with excommunication. In most countries, only a bishop can approve forgiveness for abortion. They would then delegate an expert priest to listen to the confession.

Back in March, Pope Francis announced a Jubilee Year called the Holy Year of Mercy that will run from 8 December 2015 to 26 November 2016.

The Pontiff has previously denounced abortion as part of a “throw-away culture”.

“It is horrific even to think that there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day,” he said in 2014. “Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary.”