In a bid to bring people back into the fold of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has given priests the right to formally forgive women who have had abortions and seek absolution during the upcoming Holy Year.

The move is aimed to bring people back into the fold and to show a Church that is willing to grapple with issues that are affecting women today.

The right to absolution was provided in a letter which was published by the Vatican on Tuesday and Pope Francis reflected on the “moral ordeal” that many women bear in the decision as to whether they will terminate their pregnancy.

Previous church teaching has been clear on this matter that any woman undertaking an abortion was conducting a grave sin against the grace and favour of God and this would lead to an automatic excommunication by the Church. This position, it seems, has been altered though the communication from Pope Francis is clear that forgiveness means turning to the Church.