www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall I'm not sure where this question on abortion

fits - There is a thread about Kerry receiving the Holy Eucharist - even though he is pro abortion. I was wondering what a person that does have an abortion have to do to be redeemed in the eyes of the church. Is it a matter of confessing or is a long process involved?

This possibly belongs elsehwere - Parish life perhaps ??

However Sue - I really think that it is really up to the person concerned and their Priest - I don't think there is a one solution fits all here Yes certainly Confession will be involved - but other than that - they should/must talk to their own Priest.

Sorry - I don't think I have answered your question

Confession and absolution are all that are needed, though it depends on the circumstances if the absolution must be sought from the bishop. That's it!

You can see more here: http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/abortio2.htm

and here: http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/

I think I remember hearing as a kid in the Latin rite that one had to seek forgiveness from the local bishop -- a priest was unable to forgive this sin.

However, my recent lookings into this at Catholic Answers (catholic.com) shows that while abortion incurs an automatic excommunication, a priest can lift this by a sincere confession.

I would assume the same to be true for the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Hi,

Well, in the Catholic Church, a person who has procured an abortion, if it happened, faces not only mortal sin, but also a canonical penalty of excommunication.

Now, the rest of my reply, I write it with my limited knowledge of Latin discipline. I am not sure if this applies to the Eastern Churches.

To receive forgiveness of any mortal sin, yes, confession (or reconciliation, as we like to call it nowadays) is the usual way to go.

However, the canonical penalty of excommunication bears with it the prohibition of receiving any sacrament unless there is grave danger of death.

Therefore, technically the canonical penalty needs to be lifted first, however, the usual practice is to "take care" of both matters at the same time.

The ordinary parish priest may not have the authority to lift a penalty of excommunication, but in most cases (and in this one in particular) the bishop, or more typically a priest designated by the bishop, has the authority to lift it.

And since we are talking about a priest or a bishop here, he will probably hear the person's confession then and there.

The process should not be lengthy or burdensome, but the Church does want to be sure the person acknowledges the wrongdoing, repents from it, and, more important than all of that that, is able and willing to make the healing journey back into full communion with God and the brethren.

Shalom,
Memo

I believe only certain ecclesiastical territories have allowed the priests to be delegated this ability (such as the US). One is seeking two absolutions in this case--one for the abortion and one for the excommunication--and only some priests are able to absolve the excommunication. I believe (but would not promise) that all US Latin priests have this power. However, with the Eastern Catholic churches being under a different jurisdiction, I would not assume that it is the same there. One can be sure that the only necessity is confession and absolution, though it depends on the circumstances if the absolution must come from the bishop. The best bet is to confess it in full to the priest who will tell you if he is vested to make the absolution for the excommunication or if he needs to seek permission from the bishop first. Any confessions which were said between the abortion and the confession of the abortion were not valid, so a person in this position would want to backtrack during that same confession as well. This is not a difficult process and the church will welcome any person in this position home with open arms.

Edit: it looks like I was typing while Memo was posting, and that we both have the same understanding.