Pope Francis will grant all priests discretion to formally forgive women who have had abortions and seek absolution during the Roman Catholic Church's upcoming Holy Year.
His decision was revealed in a letter published by the Vatican today in what is the Argentine pontiff's latest move towards a more open and inclusive church. In the letter, Francis described the 'existential and moral ordeal' faced by women who have terminated pregnancies.
The pope also said he had 'met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision'.
The 78-year-old, who has repeatedly urged the Church to show greater compassion, said priests should use 'words of genuine welcome'.
But said they must also make sure those involved were aware of 'the gravity of the sin committed'.
The 78-year-old pontiff, who has repeatedly urged the Church to show greater compassion, said priests should use 'words of genuine welcome' for women who have had abortions
In church teaching, abortion is such a grave sin that those who procure or perform it incur an automatic excommunication.
It can usually only be formally forgiven by the chief confessor of a diocese – known by the Italian term 'penitenziere' – or a Christian missionary, Vatican spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini said.
Francis announced earlier this year a Jubilee year – traditionally a time for remission and forgiveness – which will run from December 8 to November 20.
It will be celebrated not only in the Vatican but in dioceses across the world.
-Daily Mail
Hmmmm,some things should be left for God oh...
Or dont i understand this post?
Though a catholic, it is only God that forgives.
ReplyDeleteYou don't understand, its by the power of God vested in the priest. The sins you forgive on earth are also deemed forgiven in heaven. What you cast are also deemed cast in heaven. I believe
DeleteWait !! So you mean to tell me this pope doesn't sin?
DeletePlease let's leave judgment to God alone
My dear is only God that has the right to forgive.what nonsense
ReplyDeleteWho are these ones playing God?
ReplyDelete"Gives them the right"? How?
So if they didn't forgive, wetin wan happen?
I only read the caption. Hence my comment.
Don't know what to say about this one o.
ReplyDeleteOrder for your very affordable wedding & birthday cakes. Send surprise cakes 2ur loved ones in Abuja.We deliver 2homes and offices.Click on my name to see pics.
Is he God mtchewww
ReplyDeletePriests yours is to pray for the women. It is left for God to forgive them. Pray and tell them God loves you and forgives you shikena.
ReplyDeleteIs he playing God?
ReplyDeleteThis Catholic people sef.
Stella stick to your doctrine and leave others oh. That said, saw it on CNN. I never knew they were not absolved of that.
ReplyDeleteWait! So they av the right to forgive sins? Hehehehe. Going over to BN to read Bruno's comment on this
ReplyDeleteWhat's BN again o? How many blogs dey self? Na only Stella n Linda I know o
DeleteBN means Bella Naija
DeleteI got bored with linda's blog and lailai's. I only check stella and bella naija. Anon 06:19 bella naija is the tushest and longest blog. I like it. I'm new to stella's blog and I like it so far. Very informative as well.
DeleteGood to hear
ReplyDeleteKikikikikikikik kikikikikikikik kikikikikikikik kikikikikikikik kikikikikikikik kikikikikikikik
ReplyDeleteThis pope should go and sit down...
ReplyDeleteIs he God?...
Nonsense!...
yes! that's right ... nobody is a saint
ReplyDeleteStella you are very shameless. Yeye woman
ReplyDeleteThere is more in a coconut than in your head. Faceless stupid tart. If u have beef with Stella get the balls n mail her, u pathetic fowl
DeleteYou go soon kpeme on top person matter anonymous. Sorry o get well soon.
DeleteGet out asslicker. Stupid fool. Stella can respond herself can't she? Useless idiot
DeleteSexy as a and you will die over my comment too. Get well soon.
DeleteThe Catholic church doctrine confuses me a lot. If Jesus could forgive the sin of a prostitute eat with non Jews, ultimately died for our sin why should the catholic church use a part of the bible to satisfy the Leaders and play God in another part of the bible. FORGIVENESS IS FORGIVENESS NO MORE NO LESS. By the way is abortion not a personal matter? Who bring such matters to the church. If anyone see it as a sin after the commission, he/she should go to GOD not MAN to ask for forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteOk.
ReplyDeleteMay d gud Lord forgive our many sins we pray 2ru christ our lord.
Amen.
The days I assumed all priests have never had sex & never will is so way behind me... Kudos to the immaculate ones though.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand too.
ReplyDeleteIm a catholic but there are some of our faiths i dnt understand.please please please if you are truly sorry for ur sins go down on ir knees as k for forgiveness.God is merciful.Right to forgive women hu hv had abortions as per wat na?well like stella said ..some things should be left for God
ReplyDeleteLet me explain to you. Only right now i am so tireddd
DeleteI didn't even read the write up but the caption alone pushed me into deep thought!!!
ReplyDelete*The right*????????
Church of Rome playing God since time immemorial!
ReplyDeleteLook at this one
DeleteLol. Ok o
ReplyDeleteawww remembering the abortion i did 9 years ago, it was that day i saw how a four to five months old fetus looks like, chai... i almost died!!! i carried the dead baby in my womb for one week before the nurse gave me a very hot injection and i went into labor, labor of about 8 hours, immediately the baby cam down placenta refuse to come out, na do i begin beg God say i no go do am again o, hmmmmmm.... finally it came after enough blowing of several pepsi bottles, big placenta, i saw d dead baby and i was too weak to cry, wetin man pikin don do for this life ehn...
ReplyDeleteit was my first, i didn't even know what abortion is then.... come and see blood every where for like one month, if i piss na blood, if i shit na blood.. three days after the abortion my baby died, yes i had a baby for a guy dat didn't take responsibility..... phew too long! so i was in double pains during that period!
Oh! I'm so sorry to read this, hun. You must feel terrible when you recall all these... forgive yourself. Forgive yourself. Each time you remember thos horrid period remember also that Christ is able AND WILLING to separate our sins as far as the East is from the West. I'll leave you with another quote, this from Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can; when you know better you do better".
DeleteI love you and God loves you. May healing come to you through Christ. Amen.
What did I just read. It must have been so hard for you. Dont worry, God has forgiven you. See trauma on top sex
DeleteEya... sorry dear. I know u have repented... it is well with u
DeleteMay God forgive you. Ashawo.
Deletehmmm nkan be!
DeleteAccording to a reverend father, he said priests have the right to forgive an abortionist when they've committed the sin just once. If they do it a second time, the abortionist will have to go to the bishop of the diocese to confess the sin because the power doesn't lie with the priests to forgive it a second time. This post obviously mean that they can from now henceforth. In as much as this is not a rule from God and thus is subject to change, I hope he's not trying to handle with levity and downplay the gravity of abortion by relinquishing such responsibility.
ReplyDeleteLyndy ,Oohh.please. Shut up.
DeleteConfess your sins to God.
Only God forgives.
ReplyDeleteWetin be somethings should be left for God? It's Biblical for Priests to forgive... 'any sin forgiven on earth is forgiven in heaven...' kudos to the Pope...
ReplyDeleteWhere in the Bible please?
DeleteAny sin forgiven by priest or by anyone d sin is committed unto? If someone steals from me but I forgive d person is d person forgiven by God too or its just when the priest forgives that's when God forgives d thief. Justasking
DeleteIt's Biblical... Na me wan tell u...? lols... even Anglican Pastors forgive sins...
DeleteTell is where it is written smh. Na una type dey say my pastor said I should and I should not. Only my creator God has this power and yes we sin against each others and still ask for forgiveness. We forgive but we always remember but God doesn't
DeleteSo don't make that mistake again by telling us its biblical.
John 20:23
DeleteIf you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Christ's charge to his disciples as represented by validly ordained Catholic priests. The grace at the confessional now made to encompass this, by the authority of the Church, under scriptural guidance is indeed a welcome development.
@ anon 7.37 biko Wic Anglican pastors? We believe in talking to God in prayers o. Abeg yarn d one u knw u hear.
DeleteTo forgive a sin is God's to do and not man!!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to understand it SDK, Read John20:23. God bless the Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ. Looking forward to the new year!! #CatholicandProud. Love my Faith
ReplyDelete2016 is the year of holiness Dec 8 2015 to Nov 2016
DeleteIf I am not wrong, most of the rules set in the bible are done by roman catholic priests?
ReplyDeleteRight to forgive??? bb confused face
ReplyDeleteRight to forgive??? bb confused face
ReplyDeletei think this should be left for God
ReplyDelete.
but its also good cos some women will find der peace thru this
I laugh in Chinese...so if them no forgive them before, dem no go enter heaven? As God wey d priest dem be bah????. Oriegwu!
ReplyDeleteDailymail is a joke. Priests do not forgive sins so I do not know what they are talking about. They are possibly trying to get people with little understanding to bash the church.
ReplyDeleteIf God can 4give who are the mere mortals to decide?
ReplyDeleteStella, you want people to start reading meaning into this harmless post?
ReplyDeleteNawa 4 you ooh
Catholics and their sense of judgement though. Who died and gave the pope a right to give orders on what sins to be forgiven or not. When will priests start getting married! So many cute priests out here
ReplyDeleteAshawo no be work....please free the servant of God to do his work and look for customers elsewhere. After all the ashawo business is booming at the moment.
DeleteSo all the guys wen full Aba no reach u funk? Na Priest u see..
Delete*fuck
DeleteAnon 23:33,Ashawo leave priests alone.
DeleteCarry your itchy toto go to other people.
Olosho.
May God forgive you anony 23:33
DeleteClap for yourself
Achiever.
well done madam. oya clap for yourself.
DeleteAnd here I was thinking that God is the only one with the ultimate power to forgive.
ReplyDeleteBesides, you only know if a woman has had an abortion if she tells you...how do you excommunicate or forgive those who keep it between God and themselves?
God along has d power 2 forgive and judge us. Pope,priest and pastors are human like us...
ReplyDeleteNo you don't Stella
ReplyDeleteStella ur not a Catholic so just mind ur business.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was only the almighty that could forgive our sin.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it... Na pope be deputy Jesus?
ReplyDeleteAnonymousSeptember 1, 2015 at 6:45 PM
NO ONE CAN FORGIVE OR ABSOLVE ANY MAN OF SIN EXCEPT OUR GOD THE FATHER IN HEAVEN AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. NOT THE POPE, NOT ANY PRIESTS, NOBODY! IN THE SAME WAY NO ONE CAN COME TO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN EXCEPT THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT IS WRITTEN IN BLACK AND WHITE IN THE BIBLE. MY DEAR PEOPLE PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE BIBLE. FORGET THE DOCTRINES OF MEN! THE WORD OF GOD IS THE TRUTH AND IT IS LIFE. NO MAN CAN FORGIVE ANY MAN THEIR SINS! MAY GOD GRANT US MERCY AND GRACE TO FOLLOW HIM.
lol @deputy Jesus!
DeleteWell its high tkme we forgo the bible written in black and white and rather follow the bible written and naturally embedded in our heartz
DeleteIf God can forgive the women that committed abortions,who are the priests not to forgive them?
ReplyDeleteIs it not God that forgives sins? Or maybe according to the doctrine of catholic church, confession is done to the reverend father who in turn communicates it to God for forgiveness. I guess he has to forgive first before telling God about it. I no understand too.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused....hmm Olorun ku suuru
ReplyDeleteOK ooo
ReplyDeleteJohn 20:23
ReplyDeleteIf you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Christ's charge to his disciples as represented by validly ordained Catholic priests. The grace at the confessional now made to encompass this, by the authority of the Church, under scriptural guidance is indeed a welcome development.
God news, even the Bible says wats forgiven on earth is forgiven in heaven
ReplyDeleteOooooooh my...!
ReplyDeleteGud
Almost all women are guilty of that
Wrong!
DeleteWeasel
God have mercy on religious leaders. What do we laid - back knows
ReplyDeleteIs he God? Mtcheeeeeeeew what nonsense.
ReplyDeleteOnly God forgives.. the pop isn't God neither are his priests. How can a sinful mortal forgive sins? The pop is gradually playing God.
ReplyDeleteYou citing example frm the bible, pls note that what that scripture is saying is an individual sin.." you wrong me, u ask for forgiveness and I forgive" it's different from me confessing to a mortal being like me. Well again different doctrine but the Bible is Complete!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Just said my mind.
DeleteMay you live long, Fruitful. You just made a reasonable comment. John 10:23 was referring to individual sins.
DeleteWhere did the bible expressly mention that it is by confession your sins are forgiven? People should start asking God for the spirit of discerning to differentiate between good and evil, false doctrine and true doctrine.
Christmas have mercy!
Gbam
DeleteThe word of God is Yea and Amen, it nevwr change. Judgement will surely start from Church.
ReplyDeleteThank you, spoke my mind
DeleteOk.Noted
ReplyDeleteAs painful as it is,Catholics are d biggest hypocrites ever.after confessions on Saturday they will sin after the communion.whose fooling who?no biblical backing to a lot they do.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are what?
DeleteMaybe you should leave Catholics and focus on your own salvation.
What wl u say about Jehovah's witnesses who sex themselves? Or white garment churches who hurt people who offend them? Or Mountain of fire members who pray for the death of their enemies, forgetting that they are people's enemies too? My dear Sonee, nobody holy pass. On the last day, everyone wl speak for him/herself.
DeletePoint of correction, Mountain of fire members do not pray for the death of physical or human enemies. Attend their church or listen to their messages and educate yourself. Their GO says it over and over that they pray against powers and not humans. And he backs it up with scripture, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers. ..read up the rest.
DeleteSo don't say what you don't knos.
John 20:23
ReplyDeleteIf you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Yes, Christ gave his apostles the power to forgive and retain sins and that practice has been passed down through the apostles to generations of priests. Of course, they couldn't forgive what they did not know/hear, so they had to start the confessional, where people confess their sins to a Priest who absolves them of the sin and gives them advice, counsel and penance which is usually prayer; depending on the sin. Be careful not to condemn this mystical gift of reconciliation God freely gave. Yes, when we sin, we ask forgiveness immediately, but the confessional also gives us time to meditate on our sins, feel really remorseful of our sins and ask for mercy and pardon. It also prepares us to be in a state of grace to receive the holy communion.
If it surprises you that Christ gave man the power to absolve sins, then you do not know him. Yes, he is ALMIGHTY GOD, but he is also a kind, merciful and suffering messiah. He is the KING who SERVES his people. He washed the feet of his servants. Christ gave us EVERYTHING. He has given us EVERYTHING. His breathe, his spirit, his blood. How did this KING say that this bread is his body and this wine his blood. How did he make you from dust. How did he agree to be born amongst rams in a manger. Yes he is GOD but he is not a proud dictator, he is a loving father. He has lifted us really HIGH. He made us Kings and Priests, that is how much he loves Man.
And this was exactly why the pharisees hated him, they could quote all scriptures but they did not know him. They didn't understand when he forgave sins. Just like y'all, they asked, 'who is this man forgiving sins'? Their hearts were stuffed in pride. So yes, Christ gave his apostles the power to forgive sins, he gave man the power to Heal. That is why the devil hates man so much, cos of the glory and power we have. That is how deeply JESUS loves us, in that being God, he gave his glory,he gave everything.
People, the Pontiff said to grant forgiveness from excommunication and not forgiveness of the sin of abortion
ReplyDelete