In the bull of indiction Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis decreed that the Holy Year of Mercy will begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 8, 2015, with the opening of the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. Peter at the Vatican.  On the following Sunday, December 13, the Third Sunday of Advent, the Holy Father decreed that “in every local church, at the cathedral—the mother church of the faithful in any particular area—…a Door of Mercy will be opened for the duration of the Holy Year” (MV, 3).
The Rite of the Opening of the Door of Mercy in the Diocese of Lafayette will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Jarrell at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette on Sunday, December 13, 2015, at 10:45 a.m.  It will include the celebration of the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  All are invited to attend.

Bishop Jarrell issued the following press release today:
“On September 1, Pope Francis issued a letter concerning the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In that letter he extended “to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who with a contrite heart seek forgiveness for it.” It should be known that for many years, the Bishops of the Diocese of Lafayette have extended that same faculty to priests in the Diocese. The Holy Father is simply doing the same thing for priests throughout the world. Catholics having questions should speak to a priest. The Holy Father was very clear that abortion is a serious sin. He also emphasizes the path of reconciliation.”

You can read the Holy Father’s letter here.

And for those who are amazed (or dismayed) at all these ‘new’ things Pope Francis is saying, you may be interested in the following quote:
“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors that may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Continue reading “Pope Francis on Abortion” →