ABORTION AND EXCOMMUNICATION



2272 Formal co-operation in an abortion constitutes a grave offence. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. 'A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae by the very commission of the offence', and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law . The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

(CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH)



It is true that the sin of abortion incurs an automatic excommunication, but the priest can lift that in the sacrament of confession, and thus restore the person to Christ and the life of the Church.






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