I don’t want to go into too much detail....but technically it was a reserved sin that only a bishop can forgive. But over the years its been ignored and priests just did it anyway
Just to straighten things out a bit:
In the US, the US bishops decided a while back to extend this faculty to all priests in the US, so it wasn’t “ignored” but permanently given to all US priests in accord with Church Law.
In the rest of the world, in some countries and dioceses within, it wasn’t automatically given by the local bishop. Hence (I believe) the decision by the Holy Father to extend the faculty permanently to all priests everywhere.
The reason it was reserved before, was because it’s a sin that automatically excommunicates one from the Church (and still does). Just now, all priests have the ability to not only forgive the sin but lift the automatic excommunication.
Personally, I have a mixed reaction: On one hand I can see the benefit to this, as (hopefully) it will encourage more women and men involved in an abortion to seek Confession. As it will be easier to receive absolution for it now.
On the other hand, it may make the sin become acceptable in the minds of some, or at least be lost in the “usual” sins such as missing Mass intentionally or some such that aren’t automatically excommunicable. In other words, some may view it as something not as serious as it is.
I really don’t know what to say as a Catholic about this. I will trust God’s providence that His Will is acting through the Holy Father now. After all, abortion is becoming such a scourge on our common race all throughout the world. If this saves one more baby and/or one more soul than if it wasn’t done, then it’s worth it in my opinion. But who knows if that’s the case (only God does).
Come Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit. Come through Mary. Amen.
Damn!
If Rome can not get the priests to obey; it's no WONDER that mere pew warmers are revolting; too!