Sharing the Lord's Mercy and Forgiveness

As part of the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis today has granted to all priests around the world the ability to forgive the sin of abortion within the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  What a beautiful example of mercy and forgiveness!

Here in the Archdiocese of New York, our priests have already had this faculty for close to three decades.  My beloved predecessor, Cardinal O’Connor, wisely granted this ability to our priests, and Cardinal Egan continued the practice, as have I, with the profound hope that any woman who has had an abortion, or anyone else who was involved in the process, will know that they can never be cut off from God’s love and mercy.

I hope that this announcement by the Holy Father will encourage many people to come forward to find the true peace and healing through this beautiful and tender Sacrament of Reconciliation.