On September 1, 2015, the headline read: “Pope to allow all priests to forgive abortion during Holy Year.” Writing from Vatican City for REUTERS, Isla Binnie explained what is happening.
“Pope Francis will give all priests discretion during the Roman Catholic Church’s Holy Year to formally forgive women who have had abortions – the Argentine pontiff’s latest move towards a more open and inclusive church. In Church teaching, abortion is such a grave sin that those who procure, or perform, it incur an automatic excommunication, which can only be lifted by designated church officials.
However, from Dec. 8 to Nov. 26, during an extraordinary Holy Year, or “Jubilee”, on the theme of mercy, all priests will be able to do so if the women repent “with a contrite heart”, the pope said in a letter published by the Vatican on Tuesday.
Francis described the “existential and moral ordeal” faced by women who have terminated pregnancies, and said he had “met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision”. The pope’s letter did not mention those who perform abortions.”
Appealing to the Word of God, I cannot help but ask something. “If the pope has the authority to forgive this sin, if he has the power to give to priests permission to forgive this sin, why does he not immediately open wide the gates of heaven, and welcome sinners into the kingdom of heaven today, based upon gospel repentance?” “Why wait one more day?” “Will the portals of heaven swing open from December 8 to November 26, 2015, only to swing shut again, once more leaving souls outside the arms of God’s mercy?” “By what authority does the Pope create such arbitrary days of salvation?”
The Catholic Church is right to say that abortion is a great sin, for indeed it is. To deliberately kill the life of an unborn baby in the womb is a horrendous evil, but so is any transgression of the Law of God. Listen now to the voice of the True Shepherd of the Church, Jesus Christ the Lord. Listen to Jesus, because there is only “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus says to every sinner, regardless of their sin, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
Let ever man, woman, and child know, that today is the day of forgiveness and salvation. You do not have to wait another moment. “While it is said, Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:15).
When a person comes to Christ they are immediately forgiven of all sins, and cleansed from all unrighteousness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
In addition, the soul that come to Jesus, asking for forgiveness, is given the gift of God, which is eternal life, through Jesus Christ the Lord (Rom. 6:23).
Before December 8, women might die, never knowing God’s forgiveness, if the pope has his way. Their sin is unforgiven. After November 26, the pope will close the doors for the hope of heaven, and will officially withdraw his mercy.
In contrast, the door of the heart can still be opened to receive Christ and fellowship with Him. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
To every woman who has chosen to destroy her unborn child, let the healing gospel message be received that Christ will this day forgive you as you confess this sin, repent of all your transgressions, and ask for God’s grace and mercy. There is no hope in the pope and his well-meaning, but unbiblical and unchristian, proclamations. There is mercy with the Lord. Come to Christ. Come today and sing a song of redeeming grace.
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.”
Edward Mote, 1843
