Posted on 10/23/2013 2:00:00 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
A Vatican official reiterated this week that divorced remarried Catholics are still banned from taking Communion.
In a lengthy essay published on Tuesday in the Vatican newspaper "L'Osservatore Romano," Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller acknowledged the tensions the church dealt with in choosing to stand by an earlier tenant.
"Today even firm believers are seriously wondering: can the Church not admit the divorced and remarried to the sacraments under certain conditions? Are her hands permanently tied on this matter? Have theologians really explored all the implications and consequences?" Müller, the Vatican's chief doctrine official, wrote.
Müller denied that mercy superseded the authority of Biblical teachings, and added that marriage was not a sacrament "for the individuals concerned to decide on its validity, but rather for the Church."
Müller also reminded remarried Catholics that a relationship with God was not limited to their ability to take Communion.
"It is important to realize that there are other ways, apart from sacramental communion, of being in fellowship with God. One can draw close to God by turning to him in faith, hope and charity, in repentance and prayer. God can grant his closeness and his salvation to people on different paths, even if they find themselves in a contradictory life situation," he wrote.
He also encouraged priests and church leaders to make sure that they "welcome people in irregular situations openly and sincerely, to stand by them sympathetically and helpfully, and to make them aware of the love of the Good Shepherd."
Müller's words come at a time when the Freiburg diocese in Germany announced earlier this month that it intended to give Communion to divorcees. The diocese, which first launched its campaign in February 2012, had declared that the current church teaching came from a spirit of "moral condemnation" leaving remarried Catholics with a "painful feeling of exclusion" and said that it would only individually grant the sacrament after couples had been interviewed by a priest.
Immediately after the diocese announced its decision, the Vatican immediately criticized Freiburg, arguing that its position only brought "confusion."
Current church teaching dictates that Catholics who wish to remarry must have their first marriage annulled if they seek to continue participating in the church's sacraments -- an act that declares the marriage never existed. If the church does not grant an annulment, it considers the person remarrying to be committing adultery.
Ted Kennedy didn’t need to wait in line. He had a cellar full of wine back home.
But democrat politicians that pray at the alter of abortion are good to go!!!
So if I am divorced, then remarried, and then divorced again, am I permitted communion?
It used to be that if you were divorced, remarried, you could receive communion, if you agreed to live with your second spouse as ‘brother and sister’.
So, are the following divorced Catholics taking communion?
John Kerry
Rudy Giuliani
Newt Gingrich
Andrew Cuomo
Mel Gibson
That's true right now. 'Josephite Marriage'
However, it's not just agreed, it's a demonstrated commitment.
So divorced Catholics receive no forgiveness but the Pelosi Catholics can receive Communion as they worship at the altar of abortion?
Well, New Gingrich is a converted catholic, after his marriage, so it does not apply to him. The rest of the list, not sure about Mel Gibson, are born Catholics.
Being divorced and remarried equals living in continual adultery = going to hell when you die. Have to go back and find your first spouse. I don’t think God sees it that way.....
Nancy Pelosi said that the Pope was incorrect on the Catholic position regarding birth control/abortion. Does she still receive?
You see, Catholics are not forbidden divorce. Only remarriage, which you have apparently taken care of, but weren't really really married anyway.
However, in starting your life anew, I urge you to consider annulment, or perhaps even the Pauline Privilege, which is why Catholic Royals advised unsatisfactory spouses to accept the veil or Holy Orders, and in earlier times, married converted Christians were allowed to dump the unconverted partner.
Please consult a Canon Lawyer, Vinnie the Hit Man, or, join another church.
Be advised although Freepers are Holy Terrors for the most part, none of us is exactly recognized as a Certified Vatican-Licensed Spiritual Advisor. I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once, though.
So by divorcing my second wife, have I demonstrated sufficient committment?
I don’t think anullment is an option for me, as I got a dispensation to marry in the first place.
And I don’t have the funds for a canon lawyer or for Vinie the Hitman.
Anyone who imagines that being remarried means continual adultery isn’t familar with the facts of modern marriage.
That wedding cake has unusual properties!
Newt Gingrich was only married In the Catholic Church once. To his present wife.
Interesting topic for me. I divorced nearly 30 years ago. She was Catholic, me, not so much. I wasn’t going to any church or part of any organized religion.
Now, in order for me to be baptized, and my new bride to resume communion, I have to ensure my ex and I are properly annulled, and I cannot find her.
Instead of conjecture regarding the state of Pelosi’s, Biden’s, and others’ souls, I would suggest everyone pray for them.
Receiving the Eucharist while endorsing error and creating scandal reflects an arrogance beyond any healing except Divine.
Life is short. Eternity is forever. I would hate to see anyone suffer hell eternally. It is also our duty to pray for these people.
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