Dear Mary Ann,

By medical extraction I assume you mean an abortion. Your daughter is correct that according to canon law those who procure an abortion or who have assisted in someone doing so, have automatically excommunicated themselves. However, some say that one must know about the excommunication law for the penalty to be incurred.

The good news is that it seems your daughter is remorseful and repentant. If I'm not mistaken, Pope Francis has given every priest the authority in the Confessional to forgive persons in Christ's name who have had abortions. It used to be that only a bishop could forgiven this sin.

My suggestion is that she go to Confession immediately. She will feel so much better and will be reconciled to our Lord and His Church, enabling her to receive Holy Communion again.

If she needs more support, have her contact Project Rachel or Rachel's Vineyard.

When you say:

• I know that Jesus forgave even the hardest of criminals, so doesn't she qualify for the same?

we need to remember that all that is needed is true repentance and a purpose of amendment, for one to be forgiven by God. Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross has justified all repentant sinners, regardless of how heinous their moral crime may have been. Thanks be to God.

Sincerely,

Paul