Posted on 07/06/2016 9:36:59 AM PDT by marshmallow
According to a new set of pastoral guidelines for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia governing implementation of Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia, divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, people living together outside of marriage, and same-sex couples are eligible for Communion only if they "refrain from sexual intimacy."
Conceding that it may come off as a “hard teaching,” Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has decreed that divorced and civilly remarried Catholics in the archdiocese may receive Communion only if they refrain from sex, and that they cannot hold positions of responsibility in a parish or perform liturgical functions.
That latter prohibition, according to a new set of pastoral guidelines issued by Chaput, is designed to avoid “the unintended appearance of an endorsement of divorce and civil remarriage.”
“Undertaking to live as brother and sister is necessary for the divorced and civilly remarried to receive reconciliation in the Sacrament of Penance, which could then open the way to the Eucharist,” the guidelines state, which took effect July 1.
“This is a hard teaching for many, but anything less misleads people about the nature of the Eucharist and the Church,” the document says.
The guidelines, addressed to anyone in the Philadelphia archdiocese who works in the area of family life and human sexuality, are designed to govern implementation of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, issued in April and intended to draw conclusions from the pontiff’s two Synods of Bishops on the family in 2014 and 2015.
Under the Philadelphia guidelines, the same point applies to same-sex couples: They must live chastely in order to receive Communion, and they cannot hold positions in a parish or perform liturgical ministries or roles.
On other fronts, the guidelines say that couples living together outside of marriage should either be encouraged to separate, if they’re incapable or unwilling to......
(Excerpt) Read more at cruxnow.com ...
Excellent.
We do. Actually my first marriage.
It’s nice that the church has chosen not to ‘damn’ or condemn those who cohabitate, of any sexual combination. However, in my opinion, it’s unrealistic to think the average couple will remain chaste from the point of union and forevermore.
Perhaps I don’t give people enough credit to abide by the rules of the church.
St. Paul wrote-
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:27
The point is that the teaching of the Faith is being upheld. Any civilly “remarried” couple can go to a Catholic Church where the pastor does not know them and receive communion- and in so doing likely condemn themselves if they don’t repent.
In regards to a local parish it would be up to the priest to have an uncomfortable conversation with them. Pray for holy priests- many will be persecuted by their own bishops for trying to save the souls they are responsible for. Many/most others will simply shirk this uncomfortable duty, and in so doing will likely bring judgement upon themselves
LOL
What’s so funny?
Not sure, but I think he was responding to number 3, who I think was obliquely referring to the title of the post. All married couple are required to be chaste. An older definition includes appropriateness of relations between married couples (chaste does not mean celibate).
The Church doesn’t verify that people going up to receive Communion are Catholic, or even Christian, so I don’t get your question.
He can’t be serious. Yes, divorced and remarried folks...don’t have sex. LOL.
No, what he is saying is that if you are in an adulterous relationship you may not receive communion. If you can maintain the relationship without committing adultery, then you may be able to receive communion. That has always been catholic teaching.
You may continue to live together if necessary for the sake of children or companionship or caretaking, but if you choose to continue a sexual relationship you are in an ongoing state of adultery which precludes your participation in the sacraments worthily. You must choose one or the other, you cannot have both.
This is not exclusive to those who are divorced, or even to the sin of adultery.
Love, O2
So, Jesus said one thing and St Paul says another... who do you listen to?
.
.
Well, maybe it isn't.
SOME FReepers people just LEAVE THE CHURCH, become Protestant, then remarry. Hey, it worked for Henry VIII and Liz Taylor...five times. Imagine, leaving one's faith for lust.
If the Church doesn't agree with me...then goodbye. THAT'LL show the Church!
Chalk up a victory to Satan.
Meanwhile....there is still public scandal. No, I do not believe this was ALWAYS the teaching of the Church. I suspect that before JPII there were NO exceptions. ALL those divorced and remarried were not allowed to receive communion. Period.
Well, God will judge them.
I may "cast the first stone" as one can HATE the sin but I do LOVE the sinner. And I SURE won't NAME NAMES. S/he won't post much to me except with a snide remark. I always answer back Pax vobiscum."
Where do you get this claim to ‘love’ the sinner but hate the sin. What IF the sinner is all about their sin. Christ sure never said this. None can con the Creator, but plenty sure con themselves.
You have a generous heart, and try to take the high road.
Good advice.
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