Bishop of Paranaque grants faculty to absolve from the sin of abortion to priests in his diocese for the duration of Lent and the Easter Octave

Two weeks ago, the Bishop of Paranaque, Msgr. Jesse Mercado issued the following circular to the priests in his diocese. Unfortunately it has received very little publicity.

DOP CIRCULAR NO. 2011-031

March 10, 2011

  

TO:	ALL PARISH PRIESTS, GUEST PRIESTS, PRIESTS ON LOAN AND MALE RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS IN THE DIOCESE OF PARAÑAQUE
RE:	GRANT OF THE FACULTY TO ABSOLVE ABORTION DURING LENT  AND WITHIN THE EASTER OCTAVE

Dear Monsignori and Fathers: 

Peace!

By virtue of universal law, the faculty to absolve a penitent from the sin of “effected” abortion is hereby granted to the following: a) all parish priests, diocesan or religious; b) parochial vicars; c) guest priests and priests-on-loan in the Diocese and d) other religious priests exercising their ministry within the Diocese, taking into consideration c. 969. 

This faculty is granted under the following conditions: the faculty can be exercised only a) within the territory of the diocese of Parañaque and b) during the season of Lent and within the Easter Octave.

You may post this circular inside the confessional boxes in order to remind the confessors.

With my paternal blessing and invoking the intercession of our Blessed Mother, I remain

                                               

                                                                        In Jesus and Mary,

                                                                                                Signed by

                                                                        †JESSE E. MERCADO, D.D.

                                                                               Bishop of Parañaque

Attested by:

Signed by

MSGR. BENEDICTO S. AQUINO

Vice-Chancellor