How many priests will now advise couples (and other clusters?!) in “irregular” relationships not to worry about sin, come on up to receive? How many bishops will direct their priests to do so? How many religious education courses will teach that is all a matter of conscience?
Before Pope Francis, most Catholics had never heard that they must be free of mortal sin in order to approach Christ in the Eucharist. Now the world believes the Catholic Church accepts divorce and remarriage. That is the message received through the media. It has not been corrected by Pope Francis. He could easily have been clear on this matter, but deliberately chose to be vague. No other conclusion can be reached other than that is exactly what he wants people to believe.
God help us.
I know of at least two priests who have already done so. The first advised the couple to go ahead and divorce because “God wants us to be happy,” and the other advised a couple who were already divorced and civilly remarried that it was perfectly OK to receive Holy Communion, even absent annulments for both of them.
All this happened more than 30 years ago. I can only imagine how much more frequently it will happen now.
Regards,
PS: Both priests were cardigan-wearing Jesuits.