The Catholic Church is Becoming More Forgiving of Abortion
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Pope Francis announced that the Catholic church will now make it easier for women who have abortions to be forgiven.
The Year of Mercy ended Sunday, but the church still wants women to feel welcomed and not attacked. Moments after calling abortion a grave sin, Pope Francis extends forgiveness to women who have ended a pregnancy.
The pontiff is allowing all priests to absolve abortion. He granted the special permission during the Holy Year of Mercy but is now making the pardon permanent.
"The sadness that think they have is lifelong, even after they've asked for forgiveness," said Michelle Nagle.
The message of forgiveness made it's way from the Vatican to Baltimore.
"That's what Jesus taught us, we need to forgive one another," said Maria.
"More people should be absolved of more things. It's not us that should be sitting in judgment," said Marie Mack, who agrees with the Pope.
Some Catholics WJZ spoke to say, the announcement is a signal of the Pope's vision of a more welcoming and inclusive church.
"He wants more than anything else is for a woman who finds herself in a challenging difficult pregnancy to meet with love and understanding," said William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore.
Archbishop Lori says the church is heading towards a more merciful direction with Pope Francis in charge. The pontiff also showed compassion towards gays, lesbians and divorced Catholics, groups previously kept at the margins by the Catholic church.
"Forgiveness is God's gift and we should hand that gift on as abundantly as we can," said Archbishop Lori.
Pope Francis has written in the past that he knows for many women abortion is a painful decision. He's hoping by allowing them back in the church, they can heal.
Archbishop Lori tells WJZ that since the Year of Mercy, there has been a rise in the number of Baltimore Catholics seeking forgiveness.
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