Metro Manila (CNNPhilippines) — For nearly two thousand years, the Catholic Church has constantly viewed abortion as a “moral evil.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a compilation of its doctrines, the teaching “has not changed and remains unchangeable.”
Under Church law, women who have had a completed abortion — as well as those who have helped them do so — are automatically excommunicated. But the code also recognizes extenuating circumstances, such as a woman’s age and whether or not she was forced to do so.
Those who meet the conditions for an automatic excommunication can only have it lifted through the intervention of a bishop. However, that is set to change — temporarily — under a decree from Pope Francis.
The Pope said on Tuesday (September 1) that priests around the world will be authorized to absolve “the sin of abortion” from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016, during the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy.
“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 Pope mentioned his encounters with women who have underwent such a procedure:
“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 the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.”
The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large at America magazine in New York, told CNN that “What’s new is that Pope Francis, at least for the Year of Mercy, is universalizing this permission.”
“Just as notable is his pastoral, compassionate and understanding tone towards women who have had abortions,” Martin added.
For his part, John Gehring, Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, told CNN that the Pope wants a “church of encounter that journeys with people.”
“He recognizes the church is anchored in the Gospel when mercy trumps finger-wagging judgment.”
Year of Mercy
A jubilee marks a special period for the Church when “indulgences” — remissions of punishment in purgatory — are granted to its followers.
Recent jubilees have carried special themes. The latest one, convened by Pope Johna Paul II in 2000, celebrated the dawn of the new millennium.
In his announcement earlier this year, Pope Francis said that the upcoming event will focus on mercy and forgiveness.
“I am confident that the whole Church, which is in such need of mercy for we are sinners, will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time.
“Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always,” he added.
CNN’s Daniel Burke contributed to this report.
