Pope Francis extended the power of Catholic to grant forgiveness to a woman who has had an abortion.
The Catholic Church just-ended its Jubilee Year of Mercy and in a letter released by the Vatican on Monday the pope said he would allow priests to forgive not only women who have had abortions but any other people involved in the process from here on in.
The pontiff wrote that the gesture which was introduced last year was aimed at helping the sacrament of confession “regain its central place in the Christian life,” so that “everyone is afforded the opportunity of experiencing the liberating power of forgiveness.”
While the holy Year of Mercy ended on Sunday the Pope said he would extend those powers indefinitely, beyond the special year.
“I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life. 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.”
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