Thursday, January 5, 2017

On the current controversy in the Church


The Catholic Church is Christ’s instrument of salvation here on Earth.   It is the family of God, working towards salvation, and calling others to join it, so all men can be saved.  It is a beautiful, holy thing.  

Therefore, it is difficult when there is sin made manifest within the Church.  Most of us would think of the scandal of the late 20th and early years of this century with the child abuse by clergy, and the cover up of that abuse.   Throughout her history, there have been other manifestations of sin like forced conversions, and acceptance of slavery.  Even though the good the Church does far surpasses, not just in the natural order, but in the supernatural order, the evil that is committed by her members, sin always is troubling because she has such a noble vocation and mission.

In a sense, however, sin is easier to deal with than division. For in sin, we unite and rebel against it.  When there is division, who is right, and who is not wrong is not as clear cut. In cases of division, some rebel, while some do not, and thus, we become divided.   Division in the body of Christ is contrary to its call for unity from Christ himself.  In the Apostle’s Creed, which we say every Sunday at Mass, there is the line, “I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”

Unfortunately today, there is division at the Church, and it has reached the highest levels.  Much has been written about this controversy which you can find online.  I will summarize it briefly here in what I deem the salient points.



1)      The Holy Father Pope Francis wrote an encyclical on family life last year entitled Amoris Laetiti (The Joy of Love).   It is long winded at times, and does not have the most precise prose, but there is a lot more to like about it than dislike.   It has a moving reflection on 1 Corinthians 13, the famous passage read at many a wedding, “Love is patient, love is kind...” etc.  It reiterates Church teaching on marriage and the family, and reiterates her opposition to abortion, same sex marriage, transgender ideology, and euthanasia.

2)      One chapter, Chapter, 8, discusses ministering to families in challenging situations. The following statement is written.  Because forms of conditioning and mitigating factors, it is possible that in an objective situation of sin – which may not be subjectively culpable, or fully such – a person can be living in God’s grace, can love and can also grow in the life of grace and charity, while receiving the Church’s help to this end. Then, the following footnote is written, and it is this footnote that is causing all the tension today:  In certain cases, this can include the help of the sacraments. … I would also point out that the Eucharist ‘is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.

3)      This footnote leaves open to interpretation the question of whether a person who is divorced and remarried (without receiving an annulment) can receive Communion.   The footnote seems to imply that that is a possibility, which is contrary to what the Church has always taught.  The Holy Father did not state one way or the other directly, though.

4)      Because the Pope was not clear on the matter, four Cardinals submitted to him what is called a “dubia” (Latin for doubts), asking clarification on this matter, as well as to the matter of objective truth in general, and the role of conscience in making moral decisions. 

5)      Initially, the dubia was submitted to the Pope in private.   The Holy Father did not respond to their questions, so recently, they went public with it.   This was over a month ago now since they went public, and the Pope has still not responded.   He has made many addresses since the Dubia was presented to him back in June, but he has not acknowledged it.

6)      Some bishops have been saying it is possible for the divorced and remarried to receive communion.  Some have been saying it is not.   Guidelines vary from one Diocese to another. No clear direction has been provided.  The Pope is being asked for it, and so far, does not seem to be giving it.

That is it in a nutshell.  Again, you can read more details by googling the encyclical and/or the dubia.

Here are my thoughts:

1.       I do feel the Cardinals who presented the questions that constituted the dubia should have solely focused on the divorced and remarried issue, and not asked the broader questions about truth and conscience in general.  I do not think that was called for, and perhaps that may be a reason why there are reports the Holy Father is not happy with them.

2.       Having said that, for the good of the Church, the Holy Father needs to respond.

3.       If I were him (and I am glad I am not), I would say something like this.  People who are divorced and remarried can receive the Eucharist under the following conditions:

A)      They repent of remarrying without seeking an annulment.

B)      They pledge to live as brother and sister, with no sexual relations.

C)      They pledge to seek an annulment if they desire to have sexual relations again.

4.       Notice what they would not be required to do.   They would not be required to move apart; they could stay together for the sake of their new family.  I think this solution can satisfy both sides of this debate.  

5.       This solution is what Charles Chaput, the well-respected Archbishop of Philadelphia, has instituted in his Diocese.  I think the Holy Father should make this the guideline for the universal Church.

6.       If a couple does not repent of having remarried, or does not commit to living as brother and sister, at least until an annulment is granted (which means they would have to seek one), then they cannot receive Communion. 

7.       In those exceptional cases where a person was compelled to remarry due to extreme financial or social reasons, they may not be required to repent of the remarriage, but they must commit to avoiding sexual relations, and seek an annulment, if they wish to have them again with their new spouse.

In all this, Saint Joseph can be a tremendous help.    He is a family man.  Listen to these titles from the litany to him:  Spouse of the Mother of God, Chaste guardian of the virgin. Foster father of the Son of God, Glory of home life.  He is also a great help to those seeking to live chastely, which those in irregular situations would need to do for some time to get their marriage right with the Church.   Listen to these titles from the litany:  Joseph most chaste, Joseph most strong, Joseph most faithful, Guardian of virgins.

For the Church, especially the Holy Father, we pray:

Saint Joseph, protector of Holy Church, pray for us.