POPE STUNS CATHOLICS! CALLS FOR FORGIVENESS FOR WOMEN'S ABORTIONS RATHER THAN EXCOMMUNICATION!

Last year, Pope Francis called for "A Year of Mercy" beginning on December 8, 2014 so that Catholics could rediscover the "joy of God's mercy" in their lives. Part of that theme of mercy for Catholics will now include, according to a letter just released by Pope Francis, official forgiveness for women who have undergone abortions.

In a message outlining special measures for the Jubilee year starting in December, Pope Francis said

"I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness... many others... believe that they have no other option"he said

Pope Francis said he was "well aware of the pressure" that some women were under to abort, adding that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision".

Abortion is considered a particularly serious sin and under church law, anyone who willingly participates in an abortion–including the pregnant woman, the abortionist and anyone who assists in the process–incurs automatic excommunication, which normally can only be lifted by the local bishop.

For Protestants who understand that forgiveness comes only directly from God, Catholicism's temporary granting of all priests to "absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it" seems an alien concept.