Coachella Valley reacts to the Pope’s abortion decree

Pope Francis is granting woman who have had abortions forgiveness.

He is asking priests to absolve women of the “sin of abortion” who seek forgiveness during the “Year of Mercy”.

Some people across the valley call the pope’s announcement a step in the right direction for the Catholic Church.

“I think women should be able to do what they want with their body,” said Francine Williams who is visiting from San Diego.

The church considers abortion a grave sin and and could get you excommunicated.

But during the “Holy Year,” which starts Dec 8, women who seek forgiveness with a “contrite heart” will be forgiven.

Father Howard Lincoln of Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert said the proclamation spreads an overall message of acceptance.

“The Pope’s message is not a message of leniency, but a message of compassion. And it’s not just directed at women who have had an abortion but also directed at priests. That this is an opportunity for welcome and forgiveness,” Lincoln said.

But, not everyone agrees with the decision.

“They need to seek forgiveness from God … the Pope can’t forgive everybody,” said Yacov Graham from Thousand Palms.

One hangup some people have with the Popes announcement is that the forgiveness is confined to just a year.

“I think that if you decide you’re going to allow forgiveness, no matter where or when, you allow forgiveness,” Williams said.

But, Lincoln said that’s not the case.

“The Pope has proclaimed a Year of Mercy, but the mercy of God has no time limit,” Lincoln said.

With three in 10 women getting abortions by the age of 45 in the U.S., many said it’s a right women don’t need to ask forgiveness for.

“I think it’s wonderful for the women who want to be forgiven, I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Elizabeth Jordan who lives in Rancho Mirage.