Pope Francis has called on catholic priests to
pardon women who have abortions and the doctors
who perform them, during the upcoming Jubilee
year. The Pope's statement overrules the Catholic
Church's doctrine which frowns strongly against
abortion.
In a message outlining special measures for the
Jubilee year starting in December, Pope Francis
said
"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.
The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some
with a superficial awareness... many others...
believe that they have no other option"he said
Pope Francis said he was "well aware of the
pressure" that some women were under to abort,
adding that he had "met so many women who bear
in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful
decision".
Abortion is considered a particularly serious sin
and is punishable under Canon law by
excommunication, by which those guilty are
expelled from the Church and considered to be
condemned to Hell in the afterlife.
