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