Which is correct, the Code of Canon Law or the Bishop, that's the real question.
A Bishop can talk about a "pastoral" approach all he likes but I can't find anything anywhere that says Canon Law can be ignored for the sake of a "pastoral" approach.
Besides, what sort of "pastoral" approach is it for a Bishop to encourage someone they're supposed to care about to continue mocking the Eucharist and damning themself in clear violation of Canon Law and Scripture?
It's like a drunk who periodically goes on drinking and womanizing binges being "helped" by his physician prescribing amphetamines and Viagra for him. It makes no sense to argue that the crafty physician is applying reverse psychology and by encouraging even more self-destructive behavior is helping his patient.
Don't forget about the people who see such a clear insult to the Eucharist and obvious violation of Canon Law. Who is looking out for their pastoral care when the Bishop makes it clear that both Canon Law and Scripture are to be taken with a grain of salt? Far from being a reasonable "pastoral" approach, this is a fostering of disrespect for Canon Law, the Bishop himself, the Church, Scripture, and the Eucharist.
If the Bishop is going to completely disregard Canon Law, Scripture, and the sacred nature of the Eucharist, the Bishop may as well grab himself a nun off the next bus that passes through town and nail his list of Dolanisms to the Cathedral door.
As for the laity, Catholics aren't expected to march into Hell with their eyes wide open in the name of obedience to a Bishop who seems intent on having his skull added to the skulls of Bishops already paving Hell.
Didn’t Francis make the same mistake? Why are you incensed about the Bishop and not the Pope?
I’m not trying to trap you. I am honestly trying to understand your point of view.
How is the Pope’s actions different from the Bishop’s? They both gave them Communion and they both shook the hands of abortion advocates.
So did your Pope. What do think about that?