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Readers React: Pope Francis’ abortion letter was mostly for bishops, not lay Catholics

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To the editor: I think you have missed the real point of the Pope Francis letter on abortion with the conclusion that it does not change much in Roman Catholic teaching or practice. (Pope’s decree on abortion may signal change in tone, not practice,” Sept. 1)

Catholic women the world over have abortions, use birth control and access assisted reproductive technologies — all of which are frowned upon by the Catholic hierarchy. That is the practice of Catholics, plain and simple.

Maybe Francis’ more pastoral approach to abortion rather than the political approach of his predecessors is a lesson not for the laity but for his brother bishops — especially here in the United States, where they seem constantly stuck in the pelvic zone.

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Jon O’Brien, Washington

The writer is president of Catholics for Choice.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

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