U.S. Bishops’ Survey Finds ‘Significant Energy and Interest’ in ‘Amoris Laetitia’

October 4, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — At the request of the Vatican, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) surveyed bishops and leaders across the country to determine how Amoris Laetitia is being implemented and received across the country. The USCCB’s survey led it to recommend the development of resources on “best practices based on Amoris Laetitia,” particularly “further resources on the application [of] aspects … such as those treating the internal forum and reception of the sacraments with regard to persons in irregular marital situations” and “advice on how confessors can assist persons in irregular marital relationships.”

The survey results indicate from 59 American dioceses and 18 “national organizations” there is “significant energy and interest in the United States in advancing marriage and family life ministry in light of the Holy Father’s rich, pastoral encouragement in Amoris Laetitia,” according to the USCCB report.

Amoris Laetitia, which Pope Francis released in April after two heated synods on the family during which various bishops and cardinals defended or criticized Catholic moral teaching, reaffirms Catholic teaching in certain areas but seems to directly undermine it in others. Prelates and Catholic scholars have expressed different opinions on its authoritative weight and whether it allows those living unrepentantly in mortal sin to receive the Sacraments — something the Church has always forbidden as sacrilege.

Critics of the exhortation point to footnote 351 as one of its most troubling parts. The footnote suggests, “in certain cases,” the divorced and civilly remarried who are not living abstinently may receive the Sacraments.

After its release and controversial, varied interpretations, the lay group Voice of the Family called for Amoris Laetitia to be withdrawn. Dr. Josef Seifert, a well-known Austrian philosopher and close friend of the late Pope St. John Paul II, said Amoris Laetitia contains “objectively heretical”.....

In the mid-term report the Synod Fathers speak of how it's the task of the Church to recognize those seeds of the Word that have spread beyond its visible and sacramental boundaries. They appeal to the "law of graduality," as a reflection of the way God reached out to humanity and led His people forward step by step.

The need was noted for further reflection on whether sacramental fullness doesn't exclude the possibility of recognizing positive elements even in imperfect forms. For example, whether there are positive elements in irregular marriages. The Synod Fathers make the point that when a civil marriage is stable, shows deep affection and care for children, then the Church should work to accompany it toward Sacramentality.

Card. Erdo spoke of the need for a missionary conversion, that the Church cannot stop at an announcement that is merely theoretical, but must go beyond. Christian marriage has to be a vocational decision taken with the proper preparation in an itinerary of faith. This because the Gospel of the family is the response to the deepest expectations of a person.

In the report the Synod Fathers state that the Church is particularly called to recognize suffering of abandoned spouses and how children are the real victims of family breakups.

Many synod members expressed the need for reformed, simplified procedures for annulments . Card. Erdo; spoke of how this annulment reform will require diocesan bishops to take on new responsibilities and perhaps delegate a specially trained priest.

Regarding divorced and divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, the report speaks of the need for "courageous pastoral choices” and “new pastoral paths”. The report calls for case-by-case discernment according to law of graduality, particularly regarding access to the Sacraments. Card. Erdo; said dialogue on this topic will continue in local Churches over the coming year and responses will be brought to next years Synod.

The report noted that the question of cohabitation might indicate commitment-phobia, but also a choice that is taken "while waiting for a secure existence” such as a steady job and income.

The question of homosexuality was then addressed, with a call to serious reflection. The Synod Fathers noted that homosexual persons have gifts and talents to offer the Christian community and that pastoral outreach to them is an important educative challenge.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/10/13/synod_on_family_midterm_report_presented,_2015_synod_announ/1108442

No cheap and fast annulment granted yet? No worries. Feel free to step up and receive Holy Communion anyway, in francischurch!

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