Pope Francis on Abortion for Absolution

7/25/2019 Pope Francis on Abortion for Absolution

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INTRODUCTION

Jesus Christ is the face of the Fathers mercy1. This opening statement by Pope Francis in

his apostolic exhortation2is an expression of the need of the human touch of God expressed in

Jesus Christ. !n the "ld Testament God #as seen at a distance due to the la#s and regulations

created so that the 1$ commandments #ould not be %iolated. &lthough God searches for his

people in the "ld Testament the people of the "ld Testament still felt distant from God and the

closest people could get to God #as through the prophecies of the prophets.

The human touch is the most appropriate approach to#ards understanding mercy 'ust as

in referring to the mercy of God expressed in Jesus in his ministry in particular to the story of the

prodigal son #here God loo(s recei%es the penitent #ho truly repents.)

*The forgi%eness of God cannot be denied to one #ho has repented+ the pontiff #rote in

an extraordinary letter that #as released by the ,atican on Tuesday. *! am #ell a#are of

the pressure that has led them to this decision. ! (no# that it is an existential and moralordeal+ he added.-

"n the main intention of this paper in reference to the abo%e uote the author loo(s into

the uestion of Pope Francis on granting the pri%ileged faculty of absol%ing the sins of abortion

to all legitimate or %alidly ordained priests. !n effect #hat Pope Francis is doing is that instead of

changing doctrine this pri%ilege is meant to extend the range of mercy to anyone #ho see(s

forgi%eness #ith #hat he describes as a /contrite heart. 0o#e%er some critics ha%e felt that this

pri%ilege came too late and some felt that it is too liberal on the Churchs position. %idence

#hich the author #ill use as an e%aluation #ill be based on report of the ynod of Families in

1FrancisMisericordiae Vultus3Bull of Indiction of The Extraordinary Jubilee Of Mercy 11 &pril 2$14 ,atican

&rchi%ehttps355#2.%atican.%a5content5francesco5en5apost6letters5documents5papa7

francesco6bolla62$14$-116misericordiae7%ultus.html 8&ccessed 1$ "ctober 2$149 no. 1.

2!bid.

)c.f. :u(e 143117)2 ;


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in the scripture e%idence of the call of Jeremiah by God e%en before Jeremiah #as formed in his

mothers #omb.11

!n todays time and age ho#e%er the abo%e7mentioned text from the pre%ious paragraph

does not suffice as it is in reference to the "ld Testament sayings. Today our sacred scripture

reference may be from the text of the ,isitation of the Alessed ,irgin Bary to her cousin

liHabeth #here in the ,isitation narrati%e the %isible signs of life in the unborn is clearly seen

in the excitement of the child of liHabeth 8#ho #as later named John9 #ho leapt in his mothers

#omb or in todays understanding the (ic(ing of the unborn in the mothers #omb.12

&gain much on the dignity of life can be defended from scripture ho#e%er there is

al#ays a need to be careful and critical in using scripture in defending the sanctity of life

particularly y in defending against the gra%ity of abortion. &s mentioned in the #ritings of


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prescribed drugs in an attempt to abort the fetus or by surgical procedures #hich can range from

dissecting the fetus or by chemical use #hich may include saline poisoning of the fetus. "nce a

#oman (no#s she is expecting a child the (illing of the fetus #ith intention #ill not only result

to murder but also an excommunicable offense.

!n reference to Canon :a# & person #ho actually procures an abortion incurs automatic

excommunication 8latae sententiae91. 0o#e%er to actually incur latae sententiae the indi%idual

must (no# the offense at the time of the abortion is excommunicable. 0o#e%er also the sanction

does not apply to those #ho fit into the particular scenarios such as those #ho are under 1 years

of age or ignorant of the la# a forced abortion due to external influences such as exhortation

and the li(es out of gra%e fear #ho lac(ed the use of reason 'ust to name a fe# examples1D.

&nother example that that 'ustifies that the sanction may not be incurred on a #oman is in

the case of an abusi%e husband or a partner #ho under his influence of dangerous substances

such as drun(enness or mental instability forces the abortion on her.1@

!n any case #hether the indi%idual has been excommunicated or not this sin of abortion

has to be confessed as it in%ol%es the destruction of a humans life. !f the penitent is una#are

about the la# at the time of the abortion the penitent #as not deemed excommunicated on the

other hand in reference to the factors of Canon 1)2) these issues that arise should be mentioned

to the confessor. The confessor #ill then inform the penitent #hether he has the faculty from the

bishop to absol%e from the imposed excommunication or #hether if there is a need. !f the

confessor does not ha%e the pri%ileged faculty the confessor #ill ha%e to obtain an absolution in

pri%ate and #ith discretion from the local ordinary or to refer the penitent to a confessor #ho has

the faculty.

1C!C c. 1)?@.

1DC!C c. 1)2).

1@C!C c. 1)24.

-


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&n indi%idual #ho belie%es to ha%e been excommunicated must refrain from the

ucharist1?until both absolutions for the sin and the excommunication ha%e been absol%ed by the

confessor #ith the faculties to do so.

The main point is that an absolution is not some remedy. Confession depends the

contrition of the penitent #ith a firm purpose of repentance. &s part of an integral or ma(ing a

good and contrite honest confession such sins #ould not be needed to be confessed again. The

penitents prior confession in this case #ill be deemed %alid because the penitent did not hold

bac( their confession #hich deemed to be sinful. &gain #hen a penitent goes for confession the

penitent does so #ith a purpose of #anting to amend from the #rongs committed.

2$

The Church ta(es e%ery measure to ma(e confessions a%ailable and obliges priests to

ma(e it as anonymous as #ell. There can ne%er be an excuse to delay a penitents return to the

full reception of the sacraments and this applies to those #ho had abortions as #ell to recei%e

this in%ite to return to Christ and the Church.

CATECHISM TEACHINGS FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON ABORTION

!n reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that human life must be

respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. 21The Churchs stand on life

is sacred and based on the stand that from the first moment of the persons existence a person

must be recogniHed as ha%ing the rights of a person 7 among #hich is the in%iolable right of

e%ery innocent being to life. The basis of life can be found on e%idence of the calling of Jeremiah

#here God already (no#s his created people before they #ere e%en being concei%ed.22This

upholds the dignity and sanctity of human life.

1?c.f. C!C c. 1))1.

2$c.f. C!C c. ?@D.

21CCC 2DD$

22c.f. Jeremiah 134 ;


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ince the first century the Church has affirmed the moral e%il of e%ery procured abortion.

This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. irect abortion or in another term an

abortion that is as an end or a means is gra%e matter and contrary to the teachings of the 4 th

Commandment of *ou shall not (ill+. &gain affirming that life begins from the moment of

conception e%en in the state of unborn is life. :ife must be protected #ith the utmost care from

the moment of conception3 abortion and infanticide are deemed as abominable crimes. 2)

0o# does it fit into the scenario of mercyI &gain formal cooperation in an abortion

constitutes a gra%e offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of direct

excommunication this offense. & person #ho procures a completed abortion incurs

excommunication latae sententiae by the %ery commission of the offense and sub'ected to the

conditions pro%ided by Canon :a#2-.0ere the Church does not thereby intend to restrict the

scope of mercy but rather expresses #ith clarity on the gra%ity of such crimes24.

:oo(ing at the reference of the Catechism for Filipino Catholics the statement on

abortion is clearly referred to the Catechism of the Catholic Church2. 0o#e%er the Catechism

for Filipino Catholics states that the moral position of abortion must be related to the social

economic situation #hich is connected to the heart of the problem. !n the situation of the

Philippines there are issues #here #omen in their current state falling into external influences

such as anguish or depression of fear #ould end up succumbing to committing an abortion

feeling that that is the only choice and it had to be done.2D

The beginning of the ear of Bercy this year 2$14 relates much to the sanctity of life as

the opening of this year #ill fall on t#o subseuent dates #here the first #ill be the opening of

2)c.f. CCC 2DD1

2- C!C c. 1)?@.

24c.f. CCC 22D2.

2c.f. CCC 2DD$ K 2DD4.

2Dc.f. CFC 1$)D.


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the door of mercy on the @thof ecember2@#hich is the feast of The !mmaculate Conception

celebrating the beginning of the life of Christ in the #omb of a #oman his mother the Alessed

,irgin Bary. The second opening of the same door or gesture #ill be held also on the Third

unday of &d%ent of this same year 2$14. This may be rightly so that the launching of the year

mercy begins on that day as a reflection of the sanctity of life and an as a call for #omen #ho

ha%e committed abortion to true repentance and to restore their dignity that has been lost through

#illful abortion if any.

FROM THE SYNOD OF FAMILIES OF 2014 POINT OF VIEW

T#o points stand out from the report of the synod of families of 2$1-. These are in the

authors opinion an open door to Pope Francis granting the faculty of absol%ing the sin of

abortion in relation to the upcoming /ear of Bercy.

Today the diffusion of a mentality that reduces the generation of human life to one%ariable of an indi%iduals or couples plans is easily obser%able. ometimes economic

factors are burdensome contributing to a sharp drop in the birthrate that #ea(ens the

social fabric compromises relations bet#een generations and renders a future outloo(more uncertain. "penness to life is an intrinsic reuirement of married lo%e. !n this

regard the Church supports families #ho accept raise and surround #ith affectionchildren #ith %arious disabilities.2?

&lthough the abo%e statement does not clearly state Pope Francis intention to grant the

faculty of absolution of the sin of abortion to all %alidly ordained and legitimate priests the

abo%e statement does ha%e some clear indications that the dignity of life to be defended. &nother

#ay of being pro7choice is through artificial birth control such as in the use of condoms during a

con'ugal act or consuming birth control pills before of after a con'ugal act. &lthough such

[email protected]. B, ).

2?#elatio $ynodi of the III Extraordinary %eneral "ssembly of the $ynod of Bishops&Pastoral 'hallen(es to

the Family in the 'ontext of E!an(eli)ation* 1@ "ctober 2$1-http355###.%atican.%a5roman6curia5synod5documents5rc6synod6doc62$1-1$1@6relatio7synodi7familia6en.html

8&ccessed 2$ eptember 2$149 nos. 4D.

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artificial birth control methods #ould be against pro7creation it #ould affect more to an abuse to

the body in particular consumption of medication as a pre%enti%e measure to birth control.

&gain the issue here does not only relate to the current situation of families but #ould

apply to abortion. The influence of the social economic structure of the society #ould also

contribute and may be culpable to the encouragement of choosing against life.

Pastoral #or( in this area needs to start #ith listening to people and ac(no#ledging the

beauty and truth of an unconditional openness to life #hich is needed if human lo%e is to

be li%ed fully. This ser%es as the basis for an appropriate teaching regarding the naturalmethods for responsible procreation #hich allo# a couple to li%e in a harmonious and

conscious manner the lo%ing communication bet#een husband and #ife in all its aspects

along #ith their responsibility at procreating life. !n this regard #e should return to the

message of the ncyclical 0umanae ,itae of Alessed Pope Paul ,! #hich highlights theneed to respect the dignity of the person in morally assessing methods in regulating

births. The adoption of children orphans and the abandoned and accepting them as oneso#n is a specific form of the family apostolate 8cf. &postolicam &ctuositatem !!! 119

and has oftentimes been called for and encouraged by the Bagisterium 8cf. Familiaris

Consortio !!! !!L %angelium ,itae !, ?)9. The choice of adoption or foster parentingexpresses a particular fruitfulness of married life not simply in the case of sterility. uch

a choice is a po#erful sign of family lo%e and an occasion to #itness to ones faith and to

restore the dignity of a son or daughter to a person #ho has been depri%ed of this

dignity.)$

0ere the author chooses to compare the pri%ilege of Pope Francis to the penitents as an

act of lo%e as mercy also means lo%e. &gain in the authors opinion as in the past the

encyclical of Alessed Paul ,! on 0umanae ,itae in 2 July 1?@ met #ith much opposition and

contro%ersy claiming that /#hy should the Pope interfere #ith the /marriage bedroom. Pope

Francis is facing a similar situation today in an o%erall sense and not 'ust in synod of families.

The abo%e bloc( uote sho#s e%idence to support Pope Francis gesture of mercy that supports

life in procreating in the institution of /family.

!n an article published by the ;ational Catholic


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its teachings are #rong)1. Ehat Fr. Curran expressed in this inter%ie# by being a long time

ad%ocate of church reform is that3

The synod had a distinct Francis pastoral emphasis. ou are a longtime ad%ocate of

church reform. &s a theologian do you thin( this pastoral emphasis can get us to #hereyou thin( #e need to beI

The #ord pastoral ob%iously has a number of different meanings. The primary role of

any minister in the church including the bishop of


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0ere hopes on the future is the emphasis of Fr. Curran he only hopes that it #ill not ta(e

too long. 0e sees that there are still some members of the synod #ho are still reser%ed due to the

fact that they are more conser%ati%e and that they are afraid to open up to reform. Pope Francis

has ta(en the first step to open doors to penitents of abortion again a gesture of mercy that can

be e%ident in this inter%ie# uote.

!n the authors personal opinion in follo#ing the papacy of Pope Francis the author finds

a ma'or comparison bet#een Pope Francis and his predecessors of John Paul !! and Aenedict

O,!. !n the papacy of Pope Francis mercy stands out in the pope not because he is a Jesuit and

is trained in the field to be independent and yet to defend the faith 'ust li(e #hen the society #as

founded to counter the Protestant


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!n reference to /The Aull of !ndiction of the xtraordinary Jubilee of Bercy Pope

Francis has described the most salient features of mercy focusing primarily on the theme of the

light of Christs face. 0e emphasiHes that mercy is not an abstract #ord but rather a face to

recogniHe contemplate and ser%e and is Trinitarian in fashion) and reaches out to a description

of the Church as a credible sign of mercy.)D

Pope Francis #ishes that this year be experienced also in the sharing of di%ine mercy

#hich can be encountered by dedication to li%ing out in our daily li%es the mercy #hich God

faithfully extends to all peoples. The Pope also stated that #e should be allo#ed to be surprised

by God as God ne%er tires of opening the doors of Gods heart and to lo%e us and #anting to

share it #ith the people. !n this Jubilee ear also the Pope hopes that Church may echo the #ord

of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon strength aid and lo%e

#hich is in the authors opinion another e%idence of the Popes sincere intention to grant the

faculty of absolution for the sin of abortion to all legitimate and %alidly ordained priests. &lso the

Pope hopes that the Church may be faithful in extending mercy and be al#ays patient in offering

compassion and consolation lastly that the Church become the %oice of e%ery people in

repeating confidently #ithout ceasing the Psalm3 /Ae mindful of your mercy " :ord and your

steadfast lo%e for they ha%e been from of old.)@

A REFLECTION ON THE GESTURE OF POPE FRANCIS

Eith the granting of the faculty of absol%ing the sin of abortion to all legitimate and

%alidly ordained priests it is in no #ay that Pope Francis has done a#ay brea(ing any tradition.

The Canon :a# rule still applies to the penitent. !t is 'ust that the Pope has made it easier for a

truly repentant penitent #ho carries such a burden to recei%e not 'ust confession but healing and

)c.f. B, nos. 7?.

)Dc.f. !bid nos. 1$.

)@c.f. B, nos. 24 Psalm 2437@ ;


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to recei%e healing from God #hich is in this case through the confessor #ho is also the

authority of the church. This is not to undermine the local ordinary nor #ould it be an abuse of

the faculty 8although the author #ould see such possibility in the future but 'ust an assumption9

but to pro%ide a more opened and more accommodating and a more merciful church.

&nother reason on #hy Pope Francis has decided to grant the pri%ileged faculty 8in the

authors opinion9 is because the Pope himself #as in a #ay had his o#n experience of #hat it

means to be merciful. This can be seen in an article published by C;;s nder

obedience he li%ed his exile #ith obedience and in that exile he #as in some #ays humbled

and in some #ays also. &gain in reference to Pope Francis so called exile he #as sho#n mercy

through his prayer life through that t#o years in Cordoba. &gain this gesture is another one of the

e%idence that Pope Francis #ould base his granting of the faculty of absolution of the sin of

abortion to all legitimate and %alidly ordained priests. & Pope #ho li%ed his exile during his

younger days and after returning from that exile he became more merciful and (inder and

#anted to ser%e the people better.

To conclude this paper abortion on the authors point of %ie# is a sin and not 'ust based

on the authors personal opinion. !t is a destruction of life e%en #hen those #ho are pro7choice

claim that the fetus in the mothers #omb is an unborn and ha%e no life. 0o#e%er based on the

research text of the author of this paper the author sees the gra%ity of the sin of abortion in the

)?aniel Aur(e The Pope-s .ar/ 0i(ht of the $oul C;; "nline eptember 2$14

http355edition.cnn.com5interacti%e52$145$?5specials5pope7dar(7night7of7the7soul58&ccessed ) "ctober 2$149

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teachings of the church and such a sin that is deemed gra%e results in automatic

excommunication.

There is no solid e%idence that Pope Francis gesture of mercy by granting the faculty of

absolution to all legitimate and %alidly ordained priests can be seen as the Pope being liberal on

such a gra%e matter. "ne is because the Pope did not brea( any la#L he helped by bringing out

the spirit of the la# #hich may be related to a type of reform and de%elopment in the church as

the late Jesuit Carlo Baria Cardinal Bartini put it as 2$$ years behind.-$0o#e%er this pri%ilege

granted in the upcoming /ear of Bercy does not compromise the gra%ity of the sin of abortion

that as prescribed in Canon :a#

-1

a sin against the 4

th

Commandment of /ou shall not (ill.

-2

"n a second point the author #ould li(e to base the sincere gesture of Pope Francis on

the Popes simple lifestyle and the close relation the Pope had during his term as &rchbishop of

Auenos &ires. The time that the Pope ser%ed in his archdiocese #as %ery much in%ol%ed #ith

meeting #ith the people. 0is example of ser%ant7leadership #as outstanding and #ould ha%e

%ery much contributed to his %ocation as a pastor of the church.

&lso during his time as a younger priest the traumas and the challenges he had to face as

the Jesuit Pro%incial for his society in particular during the military rule #here he had to ma(e a

serious decision of letting his scholastics go. Aut at the end of the day he had to go all out to

rescue his community.

*! am #ell a#are of the pressure that has led them to this decision. ! (no# that it is an

existential and moral ordeal+ he added.-)

-$c.f. 'ardinal 'arlo Martini says 'hurch 1233 years behind- AAC Eorld ;e#s "nline 1 eptember 2$12

###.bbc.com5ne#s5#orld7europe71?-41-)? 8&ccessed on 2D "ctober 2$149.

-1c.f. C!C c. 1)?@.

-2c.f. xodus 2$31) ;


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!n reply to the abo%e statement the author sees that Pope Francis as a person of

discernment and basing on his pastoral formation and experiences. &lthough Pope Francis has

the pri%ilege of exercising /Papal !nfallibility--in regards to this moral issue again he is also

applying responsible dissent-4 #here one is #illing to ta(e the ris( to purify church teachings for

the benefit of the faithful people so that they better understand #hat the education passed do#n

to people.

To conclude such gestures of mercy particularly coming from the highest authority in

the church reflects authentic examples of li%ing out the /ear of Bercy e%en before it is to

begin. Ehat Pope Francis does is nothing liberal on his holiness part. There are indi%iduals out

there #ho are ignorant of such la#s in the church. !t reuires our responsibility as theologians

and catechism tutors to purify such teachings through responsible teaching and dissent on the sin

of abortion and ho# does the Bagisterium in the teachings ha%e their say on such gra%e issues.

The author belie%es that education on such matters is a must to be thought #ith proper

referencing #hich #ould gi%e the lay faithful a better picture of our faith and the mercy and

compassion that the church pro%ides. Ee remember again that the face of the Fathers 8or Gods9

mercy is in Jesus Christ.-

BIBLIOGRAPHY

&cts of the &postolic ee. ,ol. @$.


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PiuQ lisabetta.Pope Francis* 4ife and #e!olution& " Bio(raphy of Jor(e Ber(o(lio5Chicago

!:3 :oyola Press. 21 "ctober 2$1-

Eogaman J. Philip. 'hristian Ethics& " +istorical Introduction5 :ouis%ille =3 Eestminster

John =nox Press. 1??).

ABBREVIATIONS OF SOURCES CITED

CCC 'atechism of the 'atholic 'hurch 2nd dition >& 2$12 Cro#n PublishingGroup

CFC 'atechism for Filipino 'atholics Banila 2$$@ CACP

C!C 'odex Iuris 'anonici 8Canon :a#9 1?@) ,atican &rchi%e.

, .ei Verbum 8ogmatic Constitution on i%ine

Pope Francis on Abortion for Absolution

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