Pope Francis Allowing All Priests to Absolve the Sin of Abortion

The Jubilee of Mercy is over, but Pope Francis is allowing all priests to absolve the sin of abortion from here on out indefinitely. The Pope announced his decision in his new Apostolic Letter “Misericordia et Misera,” or “Mercy with Misery.”

“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 letter published Nov. 21 read.

The provision made for the duration of the Extraordinary Holy Year “is hereby extended, notwithstanding anything to the contrary,” adding “the Sacrament of Reconciliation must regain its central place in the Christian life.”

Pope Francis did maintain the position that “abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life,” but said “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.”

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