Pope Francis Extends Abortion-Forgiveness Edict

November 22, 2016

(The Wall Street Journal) – Pope Francis on Monday indefinitely extended the power of priests to forgive the “grave sin” of abortion, one of his signature gestures from the Catholic Church’s just-ended Jubilee Year of Mercy. The pope’s move, which allows priests to forgive women who have had abortions and any other people involved in the process, is largely symbolic. The power to forgive penitents for abortion is formally reserved for bishops, but many bishops around the world have already conceded that power to their priests.