Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Posted September 1, 2015
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput released the following statement Sept. 1 on Pope Francis’ decree permitting all priests to absolve women of abortion during the Year of Mercy, beginning Dec. 8. Read more about the decree.
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“Pope Francis’ recent remarks on absolution for the sin of abortion demonstrate his commitment to all those in need of healing. With a special “Jubilee Year of Mercy” set to begin in December, the timing is very welcome.
“For many years now, parish priests have been given permission to absolve the sin of abortion here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. But the practice has not been common in various other regions of the world.
“This action in no way diminishes the moral gravity of abortion. What it does do is make access to sacramental forgiveness easier for anyone who seeks it with a truly penitent heart.”
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Had a priest not been given permission for absolution for the sin of abortion, would that absolution still be valid?
This Archbishop is the best!!!. I was praying that he would be assigned whenever we needed a new head of the diocese and finally we were rewarded. He’s kind, warm, humorous but spot on when it comes to traditional Catholicism which we are in want of in Philadelphia and nationally too.