Montco Priest Can Forgive Sins Once Reserved For Only The Pope
MONTGOMERY COUNTY (CBS) -- The Catholic Church considers some sins to be so bad, only the Pope can forgive those who commit them... until now. Francis has given temporary authority to some priests, including one from Montgomery County.
It's part of the Pope's Year of Mercy in the Church. Msgr. George Majoros is the parochial vicar at Sacred Heart in Bridgeport. Among the sins the 'Missionary of Mercy' can now absolve?
"He wants us to be that joyful face of forgiveness," Majoros said. "Desecration of our most Holy Eucharist. Secondly, if anyone attempted to bring violence to our Holy Father in any way, shape, or form."
Two others have to do with his fellow priests, breaking the seal of confession, and offering absolution to a sexual partner.
These sins likely don't apply to many of us, but Majoros says it's more about the spirit of mercy, the Pope told the priests as much at a Vatican commissioning ceremony on Ash Wednesday.
"The church is a mother. So, like any mother, we need to be always attentive to those who come and those who do not come, and in that sense, be ready to assist and help."