Pope Francis has made a statement that, for the remainder of the Jubilee Year, all priests will be permitted to absolve women of "the sin of abortion", if they repent with "a contrite heart".
A spokesperson for Marie Stopes International said: “Abortion services are a normal and necessary part of reproductive healthcare, and one in three women in the UK will have an abortion in her lifetime. We do not believe that any woman needs to seek forgiveness for making a considered choice about whether and when to have children.”
For journalist enquiries, please contact the Marie Stopes International press office on 07769 166 516 or email press.international@mariestopes.org.