I had an abortion 32 years ago, and have repented as far as I knew for it. I since then have received communion and was happy to repent thinking that everything was ok. Now today I heard on EWTN that if you abort a child you are automatically excommunicated from the church and that the only way that this sin can be absolved is through the Pope. Is this so. I was terrified when I heard this. Or did I understand what he was saying. I thought I did. Help please!!
2007-10-20 15:09:08 · 33 answers · asked by Brenda M 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is true that the procurement of a completed abortion will automatically excommunicate someone.
Excommunication
+ Is a severe penalty resulting from grave crimes against the Catholic religion
+ Excludes the offender from taking part in the Eucharist or other sacraments
+ Does not mean a loss of salvation. However, the crime committed might be a mortal sin.
Remember the purpose of excommunication is the correction and redemption of the person who has chosen to separate himself or herself from the Church.
I cannot judge if you are or are not still excommunicated. Please talk to your priest.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2007-10-20 18:56:05 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The Pope is not God.
I think you need to pray about his privately between yourself and God, and ask for His reassurance and forgiveness once and for all, never to be brought to mind again.
It only shows that you do not believe that Christ could forgive all sins.
Jesus's death on the cross was to cover ALL sins, not just some, but all.
You do not need to wear this on your sleeve, just go to the church of your choice and keep this private info to yourself.
Do not share with the church.
Men can be very unforgiving, do not forget that the Catholic church is really a hierarchy of men, they have not been in a women's shoes and do not therefore have sympathy that another woman may have for you.
Learn to forgive yourself after you have said one last prayer about this and should it come to mind again and again, remind yourself that this is now a closed issue because you have prayed about it and believe that Christ died for all sins and has forgiven you if you believe in Him as Lord and Saviour.
By the way, I am a Catholic who has also been in the Evangelical community.
2007-10-21 07:50:05 · answer #2 · answered by good day 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, wow, I really feel for you in your confusion. And it doesn't look like many of us here are helping you either. I'm sorry no one has given you a cited answer from the Roman Catholic Catechism. I, unfortunately don't have one, so can't tell you either, but perhaps you should consult it if you have one.
It's hard to tell where exactly you're at in relation to dealing with your abortion, but if you need post-abortion help, no matter what it is, here's a page of links to organizations who can help you:
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=10943
I direct you to the LCMS page on this because Lutherans are uniquely equipped to correctly distinguish Law from Gospel. I think the reason you are confused is that you're not sure whether God (or the Church) has condemned you, or whether God (or the Church) accepts you. You are hearing both, but don't know how to apply it to yourself. And as far as I can tell, no one has given you a good answer here either. An LCMS counselor (usually a deaconess who has been theologically trained) will be able to help you sort out all of those things in a much more personal way than any of us here can.
I urge you to contact one of these entities, so that you can be reassured, in a personal way, of God's pure Gospel, Christ's perfect life, suffering, death & resurrection *for you* to forgive your sins, no matter what they may be. May you be comforted by God's own absolution of your sins, for the sake of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
2007-10-20 18:37:01 · answer #3 · answered by Sakurachan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having or procuring an abortion results in excommunication.
If you repent for the abortion, there's no reason you can't come back to the Church via the Sacrament of Confession.
Receive Confession from your parish priest, and you will be welcomed back into the Church and able to receive Communion at Mass.
2007-10-21 07:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by Daver 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There are only a handful of excommunication situations where the Pope has to be the one to rescind the excommunication. I don't believe that abortion is one of them. If you've been to Reconciliation, you should be ok. Any concerns - speak to your priest next time!
2007-10-20 17:16:06 · answer #5 · answered by SigGirl 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You may have been from the Catholic church. But if you have repented or lets say confessed your sin to the Lord and asked for his mercy and forgiveness , then you have not been thrown out of the body of Christians that make up the church. The Lord forgives the sin, the Pope can do nothing .The pope can only keep you out of the Catholic church , if he knows what you did so what harm is there if he doesn't.know, and Christ has forgiven you, move on
2007-10-20 15:23:35 · answer #6 · answered by the only 1 hobo 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
the infalibal popes in rome might have burnt galalio as a heritic if he did no longer have efficient secular friends and tension to assert the earth would not rotate around the solar. For get the jews, how regarding the killing of polish priest and us worry-loose catholic through fact we've been polish by potential of hitler. The popes of rome traditionally have worn many hats yet no longer the crown of thorns or self sacrifice for thier sheep. Hail Hitler!
2016-10-13 09:15:03 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you misheard. The priest can absolve you through the Sacrament of Penance
2007-10-21 15:53:42 · answer #8 · answered by Tina T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you misunderstood. If you were absolved of the sin and the priest never mentioned excommunication then I think you are fine. I was Catholic for over 27 years. Very well studied.
I would never try to lead someone in the wrong direction over something like this. Excommunication is actually very difficult to obtain even for the most hideous person. You aren't hideous. Many blessings
If you still feel frightened then sit down and talk with your parish priest. BTW, don't quite understand the thumbs down when I'm just trying to help. I guess half my college life in Catholic studies makes me stupid? I do not practice but I know certain things to be true. Namaste, everyone. I'm just trying to help.
2007-10-20 15:15:57 · answer #9 · answered by Yogini 6 · 7⤊ 6⤋
According to the Catholic Church the pope is the only one to absolve this.
According to The Word of GOD (The Bible), Jesus is The Only One Who can ForGive your Sin's.
And, JESUS Loves You and is More Than Ready to ForGive You!
I AM an Ex-Catholic (made Head Altar Boy too!) who got Born-Again After I left that church. Out in the World, Sinning!
I was Almost Dead and Called out on GOD Almighty.
HE Answered (Jesus).
I AM not saying that some People don't Get Saved (Spirit Recreated, Born-Again) in that church, just that I didn't.
The Pope is not GOD.
Jesus Christ "Was", "Is" and Always Will Be.
Romans 10:9 will get you "Born-Again"(Saved).
Jesus Loves You!
I Love all of the Catholics!
I just Think that alot of what that church Teaches, needs the hell (errors) knocked out of it.
Jesus is Lord (not the pope)
2007-10-20 15:23:07 · answer #10 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 5⤊ 6⤋