text: Second degree murder is your contribution to the confusion. In the USA second degree murder is a non-premeditated killing resulting from an assault in which death of the victim was a distinct possibility. Thus it is distinct from both manslaughter and first degree murder.
  
  Since this is the National CATHOLIC reporter and the topic is the Holy Father giving the power to absolve in what had been reserved matters, like the previous participant's  reference to manslaughter, the reference to second degree murder is completely irrelevant.
  
  Abortion is the direct killing of the unborn with intent.