As soon as Pope Francis published his apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), I hastened to read it. I was touched by its beauty and immediately felt his concern for people who were in spiritual need because they were in an “irregular situation” and forbidden from receiving the sacraments.
Francis has been preoccupied with the problem of broken families, like the father anxious to welcome back his prodigal son after dismissing all the horrible misadventures the son has committed squandering money on a life of debauchery. The compassionate father felt, perhaps, his other son would criticize him for not punishing and severely reprimanding his wayward brother, but he admitted both his sons, the prodigal and the loyal, were equally beloved to him.
No wonder the Pope prudently cautioned: “One thing must always be taken into account, lest anyone think that the demands of the Gospel are in any way being compromised,” (A.L. n.301).
The Pope quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church mentioning even a mortal sin can be permitted in certain circumstances – for example: “You shall not kill” – when defending proper life. Legitimate defense can be not only a right but also a grave duty for someone responsible for another’s life. “Imputability and responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by ignorance, inadvertence, duress, fear, habit, and other psychological or social factors.” (A.L. n.302)
There may be, through divine mercy, which is infinite, extraordinary cases that can proceed. Remember the good thief who, recognizing his faults, implored Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom, and without observing protocol Jesus replied: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
As I wrote earlier, four cardinals wrote to the Pope asking for clarification. Their letter contained five short questions that asked yes-no answers to clarify ambiguities in the exhortation.
After two months of silence from the Pope, the cardinals publicly released their letter with an explanatory note giving the faithful the opportunity to see their grave concerns. It was at this moment the dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, the appeal court of the Vatican, intervened, claiming the cardinals’ letter was a “slap in the face” for the Pope, and the scandal started.
Here is the text of the letter:
“To His Holiness Pope Francis, and for the attention of His Eminence Cardinal Gerhard L. Muller.
Most Holy Father,
Following the publication of your apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, theologians and scholars have proposed interpretations that are not only divergent, but also conflicting, above all concerning Chapter VIII. Moreover, the media have emphasized this dispute, thereby provoking uncertainty, confusion and disorientation among many of the faithful. Because of this, we the undersigned, but also many bishops and priests, have received numerous requests from the faithful of various social strata on the correct interpretation to give to Chapter VIII of the exhortation. Now, compelled in conscience by our pastoral responsibility and desiring to implement ever more that synodality to which Your Holiness urges us, with profound respect, we permit ourselves to ask you, Holy Father, as supreme Teacher of the Faith, called by the Risen One to confirm his brothers in the Faith, to resolve the uncertainties and bring clarity, benevolently giving a response to the dubia that we attach to the present letter.
May Your Holiness wish to bless us, as we promise constantly to remember you in prayer,
Cardinal Walter Brandmueller, Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, Cardinal Joachim Maisner. Rome, September 19, 2016.”
His Holiness has continued to keep silent. When the four cardinals were certain he would not respond, they interpreted his silence as instruction to continue the theological discussion. Cardinal Caffarra noted scandal on the part of the faithful had been growing, “as though we comported ourselves like the dogs who did not bark,” alluding to Isaiah 56:10, in which the prophet says the Lord’s watchmen “are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.”
In the meantime, in the small Mediterranean island of Malta, their episcopal conference, which consists of only two bishops, published their criteria for the reception of the sacraments of confession and Communion for Catholics who are divorced and living common law, or are civilly remarried, without the need to obtain an annulment of their previous marriage.
The Maltese bishops concluded their episcopal letter to their diocesan priests quoting the words of Pope Francis in his exhortation.
“If, as a result of the process of discernment, a separated or divorced person who is living in a new relationship manages, with an informed and enlightened conscience, to acknowledge and believe that he or she is at peace with God, he or she cannot be precluded from participating in the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist,” (A.L. 336, 351).
I do not accept what the two Maltese bishops proclaim.
