Bishops issue pastoral guidelines for the divorced and remarried

Holy Communion cannot be received without a decree of nullity from a marriage tribunal

OTTAWA (CCN)

The bishops of Alberta and Northwest Territories have issued pastoral guidelines on how to accompany divorced and remarried Catholics to ensure they are re-integrated into the Church.

This accompaniment, however, does not include allowing divorced and remarried couples to receive Holy Communion without a decree of nullity from the marriage tribunal.

“It may happen that, through media, friends, or family, couples have been led to understand that there has been a change in practice by the Church, such that now the reception of Holy Communion at Mass by persons who are divorced and civilly remarried is possible if they simply have a conversation with a priest,” the document, signed by six bishops, says. “This view is erroneous.”

Instead, based on Pope Francis’ Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, the bishops urge pastors to take every step to reach out to divorced and remarried Catholics, to encourage them to grow in their faith and integrate them into parish life.

The bishops urge “welcoming care” to help people become “open to understanding their situation in the light of the teaching of the Lord Jesus and his Church” to help them “toward full reconciliation with the Church.”

“In order to enable such a journey of healing and reconciliation in a manner that remains obedient to the strong command of Christ that ‘what God has united man must not divide,’the Church has established its marriage tribunals,” the bishops write. “These are charged with examining in mercy and truth the circumstances of the first marriage in view of making an official declaration as regards its validity or nullity.”

If a decree of nullity is obtained, the couple “will understand the need to proceed toward the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony,” the bishops write. “In the case where the tribunal
upholds the validity of the first union, obedience in faith to the indissolubility of marriage
as revealed by Christ will make clear to them the actions that must follow.”

“They are bound to live with the consequences of that truth as part of their witness to Christ and his teaching on marriage. This may be difficult. If, for example, they are unable to separate for
the sake of the care of children, they will need to refrain from sexual intimacy and live in
chastity ‘as brother and sister'(cf. Familiaris Consortio, 84),” the bishops write.

Resolving to live “in accordance with the teachings of Christ,” would make it possible for the couple to receive the sacrament of Penance, and allow for their receiving Holy Communion.

“The situation may arise where a tribunal is unable fully to examine the circumstances of
a prior union,” they write. “This may be due to the absence of any witnesses to the first marriage, or to the impossibility of obtaining documentary evidence. Such cases are to be referred to the Diocesan Bishop.”

The pastoral guidelines encourage priests to carefully listen to the stories of the couples’ relationship and spiritual history to prepare them for hearing “the Lord’s teaching on marriage,” and how this teaching pertains to their individual circumstances.

The document gives pastors detailed guidance in how to exercise discernment in dealing with individual circumstances, as encouraged by Pope Francis.

The document contrasts with more liberal guidelines put forward by Argentine bishops and endorsed in a private letter from Pope Francis that was leaked to the news media, but Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast does not see that as a problem.

“I hope Pope Francis would have praise and admiration for these guidelines, as he strongly believes that local bishops’ conferences and assemblies know how to address their local pastoral circumstances,” Archbishop Prendergast said in an email interview. “Groups of bishops in the Philippines, Italy, Ireland and Argentina have produced reflections, too many for me to keep up with except to note they are being enacted.”

Archbishop Prendergast described the Alberta and NWT bishops’ guidelines as “profoundly pastoral while adhering to the teachings of the Word of God and the Church’s tradition.”

“They are realistic in describing the circumstances of married life in Canada today and the pastoral issues at work,” he said.

The Ottawa archbishop said he plans to send the Alberta and NWT bishops’ guidelines out to his clergy and those engaged in marriage preparation once a French translation is finished.

He said he would add his “own encouragement that couples who have divorced and remarried without a declaration of nullity may be accompanied, as Pope Francis notes in Amoris Laetitia was the desire of the bishops gathered at the synods on the family, a position with which I whole-heartedly agree.”

“The Alberta and North West Territories bishops strongly affirm the right of those who are divorced and remarried to take part in the life of the church,” he said.

As for whether the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) should consider adopting the document, Archbishop Prendergast pointed out Canada’s two cardinals would be leading a reflection on Amoris Laetitia when the bishops gather for their annual plenary Sept. 26-30. “I would prefer to wait the outcome of their presentations before addressing these matters,” the archbishop said.