Just to straighten things out a bit:
In the US, the US bishops decided a while back to extend this faculty to all priests in the US, so it wasn’t “ignored” but permanently given to all US priests in accord with Church Law.
In the rest of the world, in some countries and dioceses within, it wasn’t automatically given by the local bishop. Hence (I believe) the decision by the Holy Father to extend the faculty permanently to all priests everywhere.
The reason it was reserved before, was because it’s a sin that automatically excommunicates one from the Church (and still does). Just now, all priests have the ability to not only forgive the sin but lift the automatic excommunication.
Personally, I have a mixed reaction: On one hand I can see the benefit to this, as (hopefully) it will encourage more women and men involved in an abortion to seek Confession. As it will be easier to receive absolution for it now.
On the other hand, it may make the sin become acceptable in the minds of some, or at least be lost in the “usual” sins such as missing Mass intentionally or some such that aren’t automatically excommunicable. In other words, some may view it as something not as serious as it is.
I really don’t know what to say as a Catholic about this. I will trust God’s providence that His Will is acting through the Holy Father now. After all, abortion is becoming such a scourge on our common race all throughout the world. If this saves one more baby and/or one more soul than if it wasn’t done, then it’s worth it in my opinion. But who knows if that’s the case (only God does).
Come Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit. Come through Mary. Amen.
Let's try some easy math:
There are approximately 1.2 billion Catholics world wide;
If merely 1% of them 'ask' Mary for help just once each day;
that means that 12 million separate prayers are headed Mary's direction every day.
Given that there are 86,400 seconds per day... (24 hours times 60 minutes times 60 seconds)
...that means that Mary has to handle approximately 139 'requests' per second!
Purty good fer someone NOT 'divine'!