Before she was baptized, she had an abortion. Will the Lord forgive?translated

Reader question:

Hello. Before baptism, I had an abortion and killed a cat while intoxicated. Then she justified herself, but years later she realized the gravity of her sins. I repent, read the canon, pray - it’s easier, but I’m afraid that we won’t forgive the sin. I worry about the baby’s soul, I hope that he is with the Lord. I was baptized on March 8 this year, I go to church, but I’m ashamed and scared. I read that those who commit an abortion are excommunicated from Communion. Will the Lord forgive? Will the soul of a child be in the Kingdom of God? What about animal souls?

Alexandra

Priest's answer:

Priest Victor NIKISHOV

God bless you!

The key point is that you were baptized after the sins you describe. In the sacrament of baptism, a person is cleansed of all sins, regardless of age. The Apostle Paul says: “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). This means that your sins committed before baptism have already been forgiven. There is no need to confess them after baptism if they do not continue to manifest themselves in your life. However, a feeling of guilt may remain, but this is not a question of forgiveness, but of internal healing of the soul.

The sin of abortion committed before baptism...