But Akin echoed concerns raised by canon lawyer Edward Peters, an adviser to the Vatican's high court, that Francis was setting a "questionable example" by simply ignoring the church's own rules.

NPR: Pope's Foot-Wash A Final Straw For Traditionalists

Edward Peters, a canon lawyer at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, said Francis' statement seems to assume that the "sin" of abortion and the "crime" of abortion are treated equally under church law.

CNN: Pope: All priests can forgive those who've had abortions

With the help of Catholic Canon lawyer and commentator, the Reverend Thomas Doyle and leading Irish writer Colm Toibin, This World examined the unique relationship that has long existed between the Irish Catholic Church and state.

BBC: Bafta for BBC's The Shame of the Catholic Church