Pope Francis Grants Priests the Authority to Absolve Abortions

pope-francis
“Pope Francis has extended indefinitely the power of Catholic priests to forgive abortions, making the announcement in an apostolic letter released Monday.

It continues a special dispensation granted last year for the duration of the Year of Mercy — which finished Sunday — which gave all priests, rather than just bishops, the power to absolve the sin of abortion.

The announcement reiterates that the Church’s stance on abortion has not changed — it is still viewed as a ‘grave sin.’ But it makes it easier for women who have had abortions to be absolved for their actions, and rejoin the Church.

‘I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life,’ the Pope’s letter states.”

CNN

The idea that any man can forgive sin, let alone a fraternity of pedophiles, is anathema to any person, regardless if they’re Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim or atheist.

If you grant a human being the power to forgive your transgressions, in effect your giving him power over your body, mind and spirit.

I don’t begrudge a person the right to join an organized religion, but this is the 21st century, and no rational person should deify a mortal to the point where he can absolve us of our sins.

The idea that a patriarchal organization that treats women like 2nd class citizens is being magnanimous by forgiving women who’ve had abortions is loathsome.

A woman’s decision whether or not to have an abortion is between her and her God if she’s religious, or between her and her conscience if she’s atheist or agnostic.

Certainly she should consult with the father of her unborn child, but why should she care what a celibate priest of an organization that doesn’t allow women to be leaders thinks?

If a woman has been ostracized by the Catholic Church for having an abortion, she should interpret that as a divine sign to leave the misogynist organization.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/21/europe/pope-francis-absolve-abortion/index.html