abortion – Communio

Priest faculties to absolve the sin of abortion

Because someone asked, What are the current faculties of priests in regard to absolving the sin of abortion and corresponding censures? The canonical reference included here.

“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.”

Pope Francis, apostolic letter Misericordia et misera 12, November 20, 2016, AAS 108 [2016] 1319–1320; translation from this site.

Picture: Fr Bede Price, priest of the Diocese of Nashvillee

Recall Abortion

Perhaps this new book on myths of abortion contributes to what Pope Benedict calls “human ecology.” In the days before the annual March for Life, Recall Abortion is fitting.

Recall Abortion, the first book by longtime pro-life
activist Janet Morana, examines the societal changes that led to legal abortion
and the lies that ensure it continues to be one of the most common medical
procedures for women. Through research, interviews with medical professionals
and testimonies of women who have had abortions, Morana takes apart the myth
that abortion is safe and necessary health-care and shows the abortion industry
for what it is: A profit-driven, unscrupulous and often criminal enterprise
that victimizes women.

Continue reading Recall Abortion

Prayers for those who have died as a result of abortion

The intention for today is for those who have died as a result of abortion and for the women and men directly affected by abortion.

Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you; hear the prayers of your servants and guide us in the way of justice (antiphon for the Mass For the Preservation of Peace & Justice)

O God, who have revealed that peacemakers are to be called your children, grant, we pray, that we may work without ceasing to establish that justice which alone ensures true and lasting peace.

Day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion

Day of Penance and Prayer to be observed on January 23rd
this year.

In November, 2001, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
approved the adaptation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
Following confirmation by the Holy See in February, 2002, the following became
particular law for the dioceses of the United States of America:

In all the
dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when the
22nd falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for
violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of
abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the
right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 21 from “Masses for
Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate
liturgical observance for this day.

On January 22, 2003, a “day of penance for
violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of
abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the
right to life” will be mandatory in the dioceses of the U.S. for the first
time. As an “Optional Memorial,” the Mass celebrated that day may be the Mass
“For Peace and Justice” or follow the normal weekday Mass readings and prayers
for the day found in the Ordo, with or without optional prayers related to St.
Vincent of Saragossa whose Feast Day falls on January 22.

Secretariat for
Pro-Life Activities
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street,
NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194

(202) 541-3070

A voice for the voiceless — women and children in China: Reggie Littlejohn speaks out

Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Several weeks ago I focused my attention —our attention— on the rights of women and children, especially unborn children, in China, by highlighting the work of Reggie Littlejohn. How can one be unmoved by the plight for another human being; in case, women and unborn children??? What about the preference for the poor? What about human dignity?

When I met Reggie through my friend Suzanne Tanzi, the editor of Traces magazine, I was instantly drawn to her work for others. I recognized in her that Christ is working directly through the words and works for those who really have no voice in a country that forcibly holds a One Child Policy. China is among the most offensive countries when it comes to human rights abuses and our Chinese brothers and sisters need an advocate.

Here’s an amazing interview with Reggie: Open your Mouth –Littlejohn Interview.pdf

A recently published essay by Reggie Littlejohn: “China: Family Planning Official Stabs Man to Death“

The link above will take you another blog post which has links to Reggie Littlejohn’s work.

China’s war on women and girls: one-child policy, forced sterilization, forced abortion & infanticide

On Wednesday I joined my friend Suzanne Tanzi, a
fellow traveler among friends in the lay ecclesial movement, Communion and Liberation, to an in-service billed as “Gendercide, Sex Trafficking and Violence Against Women” given in light of the Christian perspective as a way to give an alternate voice to the ideology of the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women. By the Way, Suzanne is also the editor of Traces magazine (you ought to subscribe!!!!).

The presentations were heavy and some of them need refining. The content was stimulating and possibly burdensome for the weak of heart. The truth of the violence against women around the world is devastating. I sat listening mourning the presence of evil actions in our society today. We are never very far from human frailty! On the train ride home last evening I stumbled upon a New York Post article about a Wednesday bust on drug use and mid-afternoon sex acts on a bench dedicated to Katharine Hepburn in the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on East 47th Street, got me thinking. This presentation was being given at Holy Family Parish a few steps away from these heinous acts! You see, wanton sexual behavior and drug are not very far from us. The human dignity is at being trampled. But hope enlightened the heart
and mind where one would be tempted to despair. I walked way from the afternoon having been received salt and light, thanks in part, from meeting Reggie Littlejohn.

Continue reading China’s war on women and girls: one-child policy, forced sterilization, forced abortion & infanticide

Day of Prayer and Penance for Abortion

Today marks the
anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion
in the USA. It is possible according to Law to end a pregnancy throughout all
nine months. A prayerful response to this atrocity the Church has proposed to
us to observe January 22 as the Day of Prayer and Penance making
reparation for the sin the abortion, praying that true freedom would be engaged
in respecting all of human life, from conception to natural death, and that the
Law would be changed.

The rubric for prayer for the day:

In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 22 of the “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373)

Continue reading Day of Prayer and Penance for Abortion

A few weeks ago I posted a brief piece on Komen Foundation giving funds to Planned Parenthood. Today, Zenit.org ran an article “Race for the Truth About the Susan G. Komen Foundation: Is Abortion and Hormonal Contraception a Prescription for Breast Cancer?” by Jenn Giroux, the executive director of Human Life International in America. Sometimes I wonder when the truth will be revealed!

The article is a must read: Race for the Truth about Susan G Komen Foundation.pdf

Saint Agatha, patron of those living with diseases of the breast, pray for us.

Tag: abortion