₦airaland Forum

The Roman Catholic Church will grant priests the right to forgive the sin of abortion for women who are contrite, Pope Francis said in a letter published Tuesday by the Vatican.

The pope said priests will have the power to absolve women of the sin during a special "Holy Year of Mercy" that begins in December.

The church considers abortion a serious sin, and church leaders historically have been outspoken against the practice. Abortion can be grounds for excommunication from the church. The pope acknowledges society's "loss of the proper personal and social sensitivity to welcome new life." But he says some women don't comprehend the import of terminating a pregnancy and believe they have no other option.

"I think in particular of all the women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision," Pope Francis said. "I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal. I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision. What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope."

Pope Francis also alluded to the power of God's forgiveness when people are truly sorry for what the church views as their mistakes.

"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 pope said.

The letter is the latest in a series of efforts from the pope to focus on inclusion. Las month, Pope Francis issued a call for the church to embrace Catholics who have divorced and remarried, saying such couples "always belong to the church." And in March he affirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage but said the church could tolerate some forms of same-sex civil unions.

Pope Francis announced in March plans for the Holy Year, which begins with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 and will run through Nov. 20, 2016. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the church's Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, said the focus of the Holy Year will be to follow the example of God, who asks Catholics not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to love.

Source: www.howdynaija..com


I have read in The Bible's book of Mathew 9:1-8 which clearly states that it's only God that forgives sins. What do you think? Please share your comments.

i love that ring on the popes finger...

Mr scripture shallow individual how come u know about matt 9 1- 8 and u don't know john 20:23...my friend go and read JH 20:23 bfre u start asking cynical, scornful n sacarstic questions.

Funny so a priest can forgive my sins

saintmark88:
Mr scripture shallow individual how come u know about matt 9 1- 8 and u don't know john 20:23...my friend go and read JH 20:23 bfre u start asking cynical, scornful n sacarstic questions.

My beloved friend (saintmark88). I made a simple comment and you rained abuses on me? I believe this platform was created to share knowledge and learn from each other. If I were wrong why not address me politely...I expect an apology from you for calling me names.

While I wait for your apology, let's take an in-depth look at the scripture you quoted - John 20:23:

In John 20:23, Jesus tells His disciples, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." The very core of the gospel message is the truth that the way someone has their sins forgiven is by having faith in Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior. In Acts 10:43-44, when Peter was sharing the gospel, he said, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” First John 5:1-5 tells us only he who believes in Jesus will overcome the world. Luke 5:20 says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Colossians 2:13-14 says Jesus forgave all our sins. All these passages confirm that Jesus is the one who forgives sin, and He forgives all of our sins. If we have had genuine faith in Him, someone else cannot later decide we are not forgiven one sin or another. So, what exactly did Jesus mean in John 20:23?

Only God can forgive sins, and Christ, being God, has the power to do so as well, but He never communicated any such power to His disciples, nor did they ever assume any such power to themselves. The key to understanding the meaning of John 20:23 lies in the previous two verses: “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” He sent them, as He is sending us, to bring the good news of the way to salvation and heaven to the whole world. Jesus was leaving the earth physically but promised God would be with them in the person of the Holy Spirit living in them. As they proclaimed the gospel, they could honestly tell people who believed in that message that their sins were forgiven, and they could honestly tell people that did not believe in the message that their sins were not forgiven and that they stand condemned in God’s eyes. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36).

Believers today have the very same mission given to us! We are obligated to share the gospel message, the way to heaven, to others in the world, and we go about that mission with the Holy Spirit living inside us, guiding us as we share His truth. We are obligated to tell people the only way to be forgiven is through faith. Jesus said in John 8:24, “If you do not believe that I am (God), you will indeed die in your sins.” This is the very core of the gospel message and the very heart of what we are to explain to the world. It was Jesus’ last command to His followers before He physically left the earth—carry forward the message of hope and save as many as will believe in Him.

Jesus preached a crucial message about forgiving our brothers, as God forgave us. We stand in grace, and He expects us to keep our hearts pure toward others, not holding grudges or harboring a spirit of unforgiveness, especially after He gave us such undeserved love and forgiveness at such a high personal cost to Himself! Jesus said those who have been forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47). He expects us to forgive others 70 times 7 times (Matthew 18:22). We are also told that if we are praying but hold something against anyone, we are to forgive that person so our relationship with God is right and righteous! Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” We know we are His if we love our brothers and don’t hate them or have unforgiveness in our hearts (1 John 2:3-6; 3:14-19; 4:16-21). Forgiveness is a key to showing we indeed have eternal life inside us, according to these passages. If we say we love God but hate our brother, we are liars and no truth is in us. So, our forgiveness of others is a major indicator of true fellowship with God. God looks at the heart and actions, not mere words. Jesus stated while on earth, “These people come near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” So, it’s important we have a living, genuine faith: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” (1 John 3:14).

I hope this will be a light to someone. God bless you saintmark88!

You have written an epistle to explain the simple words of Christ.

Jesus said, "recieve the holy spirit, whosoever sins you pardon are pardoned, whosoever sins you retain are retained". There he clearly bestowed the power to pardon sins and not just pardon but also to retain! You can try to tell stories all you like but the words of Jesus remain.

howdynaija:
My beloved friend (saintmark88). I made a simple comment and you rained abuses on me? I believe this platform was created to share knowledge and learn from each other. If I were wrong why not address me politely...I expect an apology from you for calling me names.

While I wait for your apology, let's take an in-depth look at the scripture you quoted - John 20:23:

In John 20:23, Jesus tells His disciples, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." The very core of the gospel message is the truth that the way someone has their sins forgiven is by having faith in Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior. In Acts 10:43-44, when Peter was sharing the gospel, he said, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” First John 5:1-5 tells us only he who believes in Jesus will overcome the world. Luke 5:20 says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Colossians 2:13-14 says Jesus forgave all our sins. All these passages confirm that Jesus is the one who forgives sin, and He forgives all of our sins. If we have had genuine faith in Him, someone else cannot later decide we are not forgiven one sin or another. So, what exactly did Jesus mean in John 20:23?

Only God can forgive sins, and Christ, being God, has the power to do so as well, but He never communicated any such power to His disciples, nor did they ever assume any such power to themselves. The key to understanding the meaning of John 20:23 lies in the previous two verses: “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” He sent them, as He is sending us, to bring the good news of the way to salvation and heaven to the whole world. Jesus was leaving the earth physically but promised God would be with them in the person of the Holy Spirit living in them. As they proclaimed the gospel, they could honestly tell people who believed in that message that their sins were forgiven, and they could honestly tell people that did not believe in the message that their sins were not forgiven and that they stand condemned in God’s eyes. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36).

Believers today have the very same mission given to us! We are obligated to share the gospel message, the way to heaven, to others in the world, and we go about that mission with the Holy Spirit living inside us, guiding us as we share His truth. We are obligated to tell people the only way to be forgiven is through faith. Jesus said in John 8:24, “If you do not believe that I am (God), you will indeed die in your sins.” This is the very core of the gospel message and the very heart of what we are to explain to the world. It was Jesus’ last command to His followers before He physically left the earth—carry forward the message of hope and save as many as will believe in Him.

Jesus preached a crucial message about forgiving our brothers, as God forgave us. We stand in grace, and He expects us to keep our hearts pure toward others, not holding grudges or harboring a spirit of unforgiveness, especially after He gave us such undeserved love and forgiveness at such a high personal cost to Himself! Jesus said those who have been forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47). He expects us to forgive others 70 times 7 times (Matthew 18:22). We are also told that if we are praying but hold something against anyone, we are to forgive that person so our relationship with God is right and righteous! Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” We know we are His if we love our brothers and don’t hate them or have unforgiveness in our hearts (1 John 2:3-6; 3:14-19; 4:16-21). Forgiveness is a key to showing we indeed have eternal life inside us, according to these passages. If we say we love God but hate our brother, we are liars and no truth is in us. So, our forgiveness of others is a major indicator of true fellowship with God. God looks at the heart and actions, not mere words. Jesus stated while on earth, “These people come near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” So, it’s important we have a living, genuine faith: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” (1 John 3:14).

I hope this will be a light to someone. God bless you saintmark88!

@Ist embolden, so after reading John 20:23 you still typed that?

@2nd embolden. What was the significance of the Spirit Jesus breathed on them before giving them that instruction?

What did the Father send Jesus to do that he is also sending the disciples to do?

SalC:
@Ist embolden, so after reading John 20:23 you still typed that?

@2nd embolden. What was the significance of the Spirit Jesus breathed on them before giving them that instruction?

What did the Father send Jesus to do that he is also sending the disciples to do?

So tell us, can you forgive my sin?

Jeromejnr:
So tell us, can you forgive my sin?

If I fall into the category of those whom Christ breathed the Holy Spirit upon and transfer such authority to, I can. But since you don't know me beyond here, no need pushing it.

SalC:
If I fall into the category of those whom Christ breathed the Holy Spirit upon and transfer such authority to, I can. But since you don't know me beyond here, no need pushing it.

So that means there are some of us out there who can't forgive sins?

Jeromejnr:
So that means there are some of us out there who can't forgive sins?

There is not yes or no answer to this. Because anybody can forgive a sin or offence committed against his person, but that's not what that verse is all about.

SalC:
There is not yes or no answer to this. Because anybody can forgive a sin or offence committed against his person, but that's not what that verse is all about.

So where is it stated in scriptures that no one can forgive a sin against his person?

And what is the verse talking about?

Jeromejnr:
So where is it stated in scriptures that no one can forgive a sin against his person?

And what is the verse talking about?

This your first question is kinda funny, I just said "anyone can forgive a sin or offence against his person" and you turn round to ask me where it is in the scripture that "NO ONE can forgive a sin against his person"

@ your send question, I will address that when op answer my questions up there.

SalC:
This your first question is kinda funny, I just said "anyone can forgive a sin or offence against his person" and you turn round to ask me where it is in the scripture that "NO ONE can forgive a sin against his person"

@ your send question, I will address that when op answer my questions up there.

Last time I checked, you said there is no yes or no answer to the question. Which didn't correlate with the question I asked. I never asked about offences against ones person.

I am taking about sin here now. Fornication, adultery e.t.c.

Can I forgive sin? Or can we all forgive sins? Not against our persons.

Jeromejnr:
Last time I checked, you said there is no yes or no answer to the question. Which didn't correlate with the question I asked. I never asked about offences against ones person.

I am taking about sin here now. Fornication, adultery e.t.c.

Can I forgive sin? Or can we all forgive sins? Not against our persons.

When you didn't specify or tell me their is a category of sin you are referring, I can go ahead and answer according to my understand.

And yes I said there is no yes or no answer to the question because I know there are sin you are in position to forgive and those that you are not. Yet all are sin.

SalC:
If I fall into the category of those whom Christ breathed the Holy Spirit upon and transfer such authority to, I can. But since you don't know me beyond here, no need pushing it.

Are these sinful men (pope & his priests) who are just like any other sinful men on earth, the disciples Jesus breathed His Spirit upon?

My Friend, God's spirit is available to any body who believes and ask today as it was available to the disciples. Also know that heaven is open to any body who repents of his sins and ask of forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ (not in the name of pope or priest), For Jesus Christ Himself (our High Priest Hebrews 9) told us in the Bible that He will by no means cast away anybody who comes to Him.

I hope this helps.

Shalom!