Ved starten av Barhjertighetsåret hadde pave Frans gitt alle prester i SSPX myndighet til å tilgi synder i skriftemålet (noe de ikke hadde hatt på lang tid), og til alle katolske prester å tilgi synden provosert abort (som kirkeretten setter begrensninger for). I et brev som ble kunngjort i dag – MISERICORDIA ET MISERA – har han forlenget begge disse tillatelsene (på ubestemt tid). Slik kan vi lese:
12. Given this need, lest any obstacle arise between the request for reconciliation and God’s forgiveness, I henceforth grant to all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion. The provision I had made in this regard, limited to the duration of the Extraordinary Holy Year, is hereby extended, notwithstanding anything to the contrary. I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life. In the same way, however, I can and must state that there is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father. May every priest, therefore, be a guide, support and comfort to penitents on this journey of special reconciliation.
For the Jubilee Year I had also granted that those faithful who, for various reasons, attend churches officiated by the priests of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, can validly and licitly receive the sacramental absolution of their sins. For the pastoral benefit of these faithful, and trusting in the good will of their priests to strive with God’s help for the recovery of full communion in the Catholic Church, I have personally decided to extend this faculty beyond the Jubilee Year, until further provisions are made, lest anyone ever be deprived of the sacramental sign of reconciliation through the Church’s pardon.
Avisa Dagen skrev i dag om dette, med en nokså uklar overskrift: «Paven vil gi syndsforlatelse til kvinner som har tatt abort».
Jeg tillot meg da skrive følgende kommentar til innlegget:
Man har (selvsagt) alltid kunnet motta tilgivelse for provosert abort i Den katolske kirke, men det har vært viss begrensninger på hvilke prester som har fått fullmakt til å gi slik tilgivelse – biskopene kan gi en slik fullmakt til noen eller alle prester. Nå har paven bestemt at tillatelsen han ga til alle prester om å gi slik tilgivelse for ett år siden, skal gjelde videre på ubestemt tid.