Catholic FAQ #8: If someone has an abortion and regrets it, will God forgive them?

Monsignor Eric Barr, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious for the Diocese of Rockford, IL, responds to the frequently asked question - "If someone has had an abortion and regrets it, is there any chance God will forgive them?"

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Abortion
• Forgiveness
• Catholic
• Catholic Church
• Monsignor Eric Barr

[kubrox91]

by despair as the unforgivable sin, what do you mean? now you've got me really worried.

[BigGrinStudios]

@kubrox91 I believe that Monsignor Barr is referring to the ultimate sin of never choosing to receive Christ. All of us experience moments of despair in our lives and God certainly walks with us in those times. But if we choose to never give our existence to the sovereign Lord, than we have completely missed the boat. God will never force us to love him. We must make the choice.

[XxemohorrorxX]

What's the churches view on the use of condoms? Is it looked 'down upon' such as using birth control?

[BigGrinStudios]

@XxemohorrorxX The Church rejects ALL artificial means of contraception (condoms, chemical methods, intra-uterine devices, etc.) since they attempt to separate the sexual act from its procreative potential and block the total self-giving of husband and wife.

[MsCherieInWonderland]

There are no words that can describe what this video has done for me. Thank you so much.

[scorpiostinger65]

Thank you so much for this message. I read that the Church automatically excommunicates women who have had abortions. This truly helped me heal.

[1yogalover]

Despair is unforgivable sin? Being in despair is bad enough but now its unforgivable sin? God instead of helping people in despair actually condemn them for life and after?

What kind of God is that?

[fespinoza287]

"They're the ones who should really be condemned. But the person who has an abortion, we should open our arms to them." There is forgiveness for all who sin. If the dr's etc. truly repent of their sin we should welcome them too along with the pentitent woman. We should never say who should or shouldn't be condemned. Pray for the sinners conversion and hold your judgement because the measure you give will be the measure given you. (LK 6:37-38)

[kevinjjfr]

@scorpiostinger65 Yes, or helps that person get one, But excommunication is a way to draw them back in.

[MoDeeSeventyThree]

I know a couple who had artificial insemination which I understand the church considers morally wrong (and considers IVF a sin)l; this couple ended up with 5 viable fetus'; the ended up doing selective reduction and reducing the pregnancy down to two because of the dangers of carrying 5, then they were born premature and one had severe brain hemorrhaging and would end up with severe disabilities; so they ended up removing his support...this couple is Catholic.

[MoDeeSeventyThree]

If god is so good and forgiving, why does the old testament make him out to be such a cruel god....did he not wipe out the entire world but for Noah, did he not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and turn lots wife into salt, did he not kill all the Jews at Mount Sinai when Moses discovered them worshiping a golden calf; did he not harden the Pharoh's heart, did he not kill all the first born males of Egypt, etc etc etc. I've never been able to square this with the loving New Testament god.

[MaxxTheMerciless]

That's a very fascinating point, that Despair is the unforgivable sin. I'd like to ask why?

[itsalwayssummer1396]

what if they have an abortion and don't regret it?