On September 1, 2015, His Holiness, Pope Francis announced that all priests during the upcoming Year of Mercy will have the faculty to forgive the sin of abortion. The Diocese of Lake Charles wants to assure the faithful that all priests serving in the Diocese of Lake Charles have had for many years the faculty to forgive the sin of abortion and to lift the canonical penalty if incurred. It is common practice in the United States for Ordinaries to grant this faculty.
Therefore, the faithful who have procured abortions and have obtained forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation do not need to re-confess their sin.
Let us pray that all people who have suffered from abortion may know the healing mercy of Jesus Christ.
