This is the logo for the Holy Year of Mercy, which opens Dec. 8 and runs until Nov. 20, 2016. (CNS/courtesy of Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization) 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, with great love and care for us all, calls us to experience God’s mercy especially during the Jubilee Year of Mercy which begins December 8, 2015.  Meantime he announced yesterday another concrete demonstration of his merciful care.  He grants to all priests, during the Jubilee Year, the special faculty to absolve any woman who has procured an abortion from that sin.  Any woman carrying that burden may seek release from the sin with forgiveness and reconciliation simply by going to a priest, confessing her sin and receiving, in return for her sorrow, the gift of absolution, freeing her definitively through this beautiful sacrament of God’s mercy, the sacrament of penance and reconciliation.

In our Diocese, all three of my predecessors and I have already given that special faculty to all our priests.  Since 1957, any woman who has undergone an abortion and has confessed this sin in the past already has received the sacrament of divine mercy with full forgiveness for her sin and reconciliation to God and Christ’s Church.

As our Holy Father says so movingly, the forgiveness of God cannot be denied to anyone who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father.   My brother priests and I are eager to be God’s instruments during the Jubilee Year to welcome one and all to the Sacrament of God’s Mercy and to absolve any woman who comes to confess this sin with words of welcome, forgiveness, understanding as instruments of the merciful love the Father of Mercies.   May Mary, the Mother of Mercy, be the special protector and guide of all women in this Jubilee Year of Divine Mercy.

Bishop William Murphy (Article taken from Long Island Catholic)

For more information on the Year of Mercy click here | español

Cardinal O’Malley Welcomes Pope’s Year of Mercy Plan for Post-Abortion Healing

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded September 1 to Pope Francis’ letter allowing all priests worldwide “to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.”

“Recognizing the seriousness of the sin of abortion and the implications this can have for those involved, Pope Francis is making particular outreach to women, noting that many women were under great pressure and felt that they had no choice,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

“For many years in the United States, including in the Archdiocese of Boston, diocesan bishops have granted their priests the faculty to absolve the sin of abortion. As part of the outreach of the Year of Mercy, the Holy Father will now grant all priests worldwide the faculty,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

Cardinal O’Malley referred those in need of healing to the Project Rachel post-abortion ministry website, saying, “My hope and prayer is that all those carrying the burden of an experience of abortion would turn to the Church and her sacraments and experience the Lord’s mercy and love.”

The full text of his response follows:

Pope Francis has given the Church and the world a great gift in his announcement of Jubilee Year of Mercy that will begin December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, continuing through to the Solemnity of Christ the King in November of 2016.

The Holy Father today shared that there will be many occasions for the faithful to experience the graces of the Year of Mercy, including those who are confined at home or at a medical facility and those who are incarcerated.

Recognizing the seriousness of the sin of abortion and the implications this can have for those involved, Pope Francis is making particular outreach to women, noting that many women were under great pressure and felt that they had no choice. Under the provisions of canon law, absolution of certain serious sins, including abortion, was reserved to the diocesan bishop.  For many years in the United States, including in the Archdiocese of Boston, diocesan bishops have granted their priests the faculty to absolve the sin of abortion. As part of the outreach of the Year of Mercy, the Holy Father will now grant all priests worldwide the faculty “to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.” His words acknowledge the reality of God’s abiding mercy in the Sacrament of Penance, and that God welcomes all with open arms.

My hope and prayer is that all those carrying the burden of an experience of abortion would turn to the Church and her sacraments and experience the Lord’s mercy and love. Wherever a person might be in their healing journey, please know that in the Archdiocese of Boston and most dioceses in the United States, Project Rachel and other post-abortion healing ministries offer a compassionate and understanding pathway to renewal. To find the nearest diocesan healing ministry, go to the ‘Find Help’ map at www.hopeafterabortion.com or www.esperanzaposaborto.com.