SIN OF ABORTION
Pope has not diluted gravity of abortion sin: Prof
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Welcoming the change by Pope Francis to forgive the sin of abortion in the Catholic Church, a professor at Rachol Seminary has, however, cautioned that the Pope has not taken away the gravity of the sin of abortion as it involves taking of life of innocent and defenceless persons.
“The Pope has brought about a welcome change as regards the forgiveness of the sin of abortion in the Catholic Church. By letting all Catholic priests to forgive the sin as well as lift the censure of excommunication that is attached to it by the law of the Church, the Pope has taken a bold step to actualise his vision of the Church of mercy,” said Fr Victor Ferrao of the Rachol Seminary.
“Indeed, the Holy Father has not taken away the gravity of the sin of abortion as it involves taking of life of innocent and defenceless persons neither has he taken away the censure of automatic excommunication attached to it.”
Fr Ferrao clarified that the pope had merely eased out the access of grace and mercy to the penitent.
“All that the Holy Father has done is ease out the access of grace and mercy to the penitent which was earlier rendered difficult as the sin was reserved and could be fully forgiven by the parish priest and other priests authorised by the bishop of a specific diocese.”
“What has effectively changed in the Church is that Catholics living under the guilt and burden of the sin of abortion can now approach any Catholic priest and receive forgiveness and enter in full communion of the Church though the sacrament of confession. Thus, this decision of the Pope in no way dilutes the gravity of sin of abortion but opens the door of God’s mercy to the penitent,” Fr Ferrao added.
