The following comes from a September 22 Catholic Herald article:
Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona, has said the divorced and remarried cannot receive Communion, and that the teaching of St John Paul II and Benedict XVI still stands.
The Church has traditionally taught that the remarried cannot receive Communion unless living “as brother and sister”. The teaching, which has its roots in the Early Church, was reaffirmed by John Paul and Benedict.
But it has been debated over the last two years, and Pope Francis’s exhortation Amoris Laetitia, which some expected to reaffirm the teaching, instead addressed it vaguely.
In an article for the diocesan newspaper, the Catholic Sun, Bishop Olmsted affirms the traditional teaching. He writes:
“Accompaniment is possible and should be the case in our parishes. This does not, however, include receiving Holy Communion for those who are divorced and remarried.”
Bishop Olmsted goes on: “Throughout Amoris Laetitia we see a continuity with the Church’s Magisterium, especially that of Blessed Paul VI, St John Paul II, and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI which reaffirm the constant tradition of the Church.”
Last week, the bishops of the Buenos Aires region became the first to suggest that traditional teaching could be overridden. In guidelines for priests, the bishops suggested that some remarried people whose “responsibility and culpability” were diminished might be able to receive Communion, even if not trying to live as brother and sister.
A letter from the Pope congratulated the bishops on their guidelines, leading to speculation that he opposed the Church’s teaching.
Bishop Olmsted’s reaffirmation of that teaching follows a similar statement from the bishops of Alberta, Canada. Other bishops, and the entire bishops’ conferences of Costa Rica and Poland, have also affirmed the teaching expressed in John Paul II’s Familiars Consortia.
But if the Pope has already ruled, this seems irrelevant.
Wait and listen for the liberals to scream, then leave in groves.
We will see what Satan can do through the USCCB in its “implementation” of AL. Does anything think that the great decision of Bishop Olmsted will represent USCCB policy? Instead we will be drowned in an ocean of extraordinarily bad writing from the Cabal about “accompaniment” and “sharing the journey” of adulterers and fornicators and homosexual sexualists, and all forms of entirely dedicated and happy sinners (none of whom will be seeking repentance). The Church is, and has always been, here to forgive and provide nourishment for the soul. The Church cannot provide forgiveness for ongoing and purposeful mortal sin.
It depends on where you “accompany” them to, SChris. Didn’t you even read ALaetitia? The Holy Father is calling the faithful to “accompany” them to God, to accompany these “deplorables” to God. Your saying that they will not be seeking repentance is cynical and wrong.
The Pope was clear — accompany them to embrace their sin. Did you even read Ch. 8 of AL, “jon?” Better than me saying what is completely wrong and heretical about much of this chapter, take a look at what Robert Spaemann, the eminent German philosopher said (April 28, 2016 article): “Spaemann: I find it hard to understand what he means. That it is not licit for the Church to personally condemn anyone, let alone eternally — which, thank God, she cannot even do — is something quite clear. But, when it comes to sexual relationships that objectively contradict the ordering of Christian life, then I really would like to know from the Pope after how long and under what circumstances an objectively sinful conduct turns into a conduct…
(Part Deux) ” . . . pleasing to God.”
There is so much more literature on the craziness of AL, “jon,” you really should try to read it. For example, Spaemann also said, about AL, “It’s chaos made into principle with the stroke of the pen.”
No repentance is asked for (by the Church) is the point here, “jon,” Try to keep up.
SC, you have proven that you haven’t even read Amoris Laetitia. Pathetic. And you dare talk about it here? Pope Francis calls the Church to “accompany” those who have been touched by the grace to God. Read it for yourself:
“Priests have the duty to ‘accompany [the divorced and remarried] in helping them to understand their situation according to the teaching of the Church and the guidelines of the bishop.’ (300).
There’s also this:
“Although [the Church] constantly holds up the call to perfection and asks for a fuller response to God, ‘the Church must accompany with attention and care the weakest of her children, who show signs of a wounded and troubled love, by restoring in them hope and confidence, like the…
beacon of a lighthouse in a port or a torch carried among the people to enlighten those who have lost their way or who are in the midst of a storm” (291).
Really folks, I am arguing with people who dare talk about the Holy Father’s Exhortation without even having read it first.
“Does anything think that the great decision of Bishop Olmsted will represent USCCB policy?” I think anyone who does would be extremely naive.
It is too bad you know so little, “jon.” Compare your pathetic understanding of AL, to what it really says. For example, AL, as pointed out by so many — do try to get beyond your comic book-level understanding here, “jon” – “Amoris laetitia 301 and footnote 351 contradict the Church’s doctrine on this point, falsely claiming that it “can no longer simply be said that all those in any ‘irregular’ situation are living in a state of mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying grace,” ” These false words are precisely, and purposefully contrary to St. JPII’s “Familiaris Consortio” (check our Para. 84). The Pope has made the Church a banana republic, by deciding to simply change everything to what he and his dopey advisers…
(Part Deux) ” . . . want. Kind of sounds like Obama and today’s Democratic Party. Why, now the US Navy can no longer use the word “man” as in “seaman” any more — guess that excuses Obama from his slaughtering of the pronunciation of “corpsman.”
Al is completely aimed at disrupting Catholic doctrine. Sure some words here and there are “conservative” but there are ample bombs of ambiguity planted to let all the demons in the Church have their way in “accompanying” those in mortal sin all the way to Hell.
Dave N, Yes….God believes & has blessed bishop Olmsted. It is after all, God’s commands that the good bishop is exhorting. Do not mock God. It is naive (& spiritually blind, deaf & dumb) to believe the USCCB is even relevant when they ‘make’ policy that is other then God. They may have larger numbers but they do not have God’s backing if it confuses the sheep. Bishop Olmsted, with the wisdom of God, has clarified what needed to be clear. God bless this good bishop.
“The Church has traditionally taught that the remarried cannot receive Communion unless living “as brother and sister”. The teaching, which has its roots in the Early Church, was reaffirmed by John Paul and Benedict.” The Church also says that if a “remarried” couple cannot prove their situation in a tribunal but would still meet the requirements for a nullity if proof was available they are allowed to receive communion.
Thank you Bishop! Another good comment by a Cardinal to the Pope RE: Not damaging the faithful while looking for the lost sheep. @ http://www.eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2016/09/cardinal-ruinis-mission-to-pope-francis.htmlutm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheEponymousFlower+%28The+Eponymous+Flower%29
Cardinal’s point: Because the lost sheep aren’t there to listen but the faithful are & it causes (spiritual, mental, emotional) confusion & damage. Thank you Cardinal.
Continued from above…….Sorry, the long link does not work when I tested it again.
Let’s try this — This article by Cardinal Ruini is found at http://www.pewsitter.com
Look for the title — Cardinal Ruini’s Mission to Pope Francis: “In seeking after the lost sheep, do not put faithful sheep in danger.”
An excellent concept. God Bless Cardinal Ruini & Bishop Olmsted!