The Quotation of the Week (March 1 - 7, 2020)

A quotation of Pope Francis on 'Catholic clericalism that hinders
baptism of illegitimate children,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (Metal screen in a restaurant, Toronto) © Jerome D'Costa

Pope Francis Extends Abortion Forgiveness Indefinitely

Pope Francis closing the Holy Door to end the Jubilee Year of Mercy in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Nov. 20

Photo courtesy: Reuters

At the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis, on November 21, through an apostolic letter ('Misericordia et Misera'), extended the time for forgiving abortion indefinitely. Earlier Catholic Bishops could forgive the sin of abortion if the penitent confessed it. Now he extended it to all priests of the world. 

The pope reiterated that "abortion is a grave sin, since it put an end to an innocent life" but he also mentioned 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," reported the Catholic News Agency. 

The Catholic Church teaching on abortion is: a woman, along with others who assist her in procuring abortion, is automatically excommunicated from the Church. Only the Bishops could absolve the sin of abortion and bring back 
these persons to the Church.

To know more on the subject, please click on the following:

• Pope extends Jubilee mandate on abortion, SSPX confession (Nov. 21, 2016)
• Pope extends special Year of Mercy provisions on confession (Nov. 21, 2016)
• Pope extends forgiveness for abortion, creates Day of the Poor (Nov. 20, 2016)
• Full Text of Misericordia et Misera (mercy and misery): Pope Francis' apostolic letter (Nov. 20, 2016)
• Pope Francis Extends Priests' Ability to Forgive Abortion (Nov. 21, 2016)
• Pope Francis allows priests to forgive abortion (Nov. 21, 2016)
• Pope Francis Just Changed Church Law On Forgiving Abortion. Here's How 9 Women Reacted (Nov. 22, 2016)
• Pope Francis gives all priests permission to forgive the 'grave sin' of abortion (Nov. 21, 2016)

To know the official teaching and position of the Catholic Church on abortion, please read the following:

• Catholic Church and Abortion
• Abortion
• Catechism Teaching on Abortion
• Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Life, Abortion, and Euthanasia
• Abortion - Excommunication
• Straight Answers: Automatic Excommunication For Those Who Procure Abortion

A Photo Essay on St. Lawrence the Martyr Church's Annual 'Life Chain' in Toronto

St. Lawrence the Martyr Church and the local Knights of Columbus organized the annual "Life Chain" yesterday on both sides of Lawrence Avenue East facing the church in Scarborough, Toronto. About 100 parishoners and supporters, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., were holding posters with various pro-life messages towards two-way motorists, many of whom honked their vehicles expressing their support.

The purpose of the annual Life Chain at this parish is to support the "good cause to defend the unborn and to protect women from the harmful effects of abortion," says the weekly parish bulletin.

Some of the posters they were holding announced: "Abortion kills children," "Abortion hurts women," "Defend Life," "Adoption the loving option," and "Life the first inalienable right."