Dear Editor: In his column: “Putting ‘Amoris Laetita’ into Practice” (Feb. 28), Bishop DiMarzio tells us that Pope Francis’ Post-Synodol Apostolic Exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” has introduced a new way for divorced Catholics who choose to remarry to receive Holy Communion, even if a Diocesan Marriage Tribunal (the “External Forum”) has found a person’s first marriage to have been valid.
Bishop DiMarzio refers to this alternative method as the “Internal Forum,” the bishop also says that there is a recent publication by Cardinal Francisco Coccopalmiero, which outlines the canonical and moral procedures necessary to effectuate the “Internal Forum,” which he expects will aid the Diocese in helping divorced Catholics who have remarried, gain readmittance to Holy Communion.
While many cardinals disagree that the words of “Amoris Laetitia” itself authorize those living in adultery to receive Holy Communion, Cardinal Coccopalmiero’s 51-page booklet entitled “Eighth Chapter of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation ‘Amoris Laetitia,’” says it does. According to Cardinal Coccopalmiero, divorced and remarried Catholics, as well as “de facto couples and those cohabiting are certainly not models of unions in sync with Catholic doctrine,” but says that Communion must be given to such persons who “express the sincere desire to approach the Sacraments after an appropriate period of discernment.”
In the same issue of The Tablet, columnist George Weigel explains that divorced and remarried Catholics are already being admitted to Holy Communion in certain European dioceses, depending on the local Ordinary’s interpretation of “Amoris Laetitia,” to the complete confusion of both laity and clergy.
If the pope intends to use the Petrine privilege to change the teaching of Christ in the Gospel, that one who divorces and remarries commits adultery, (Mark 10:11-12) and cancel Sec.1650 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, issued under the auspices of Pope St. John Paul II, then the utmost clarity is required and not merely such vague concepts as “appropriate periods of discernment” or “internal forums.”
The College of Cardinals is deeply divided on this issue and many have already spoken out strongly urging the pope not to implement this doctrinal change. It is hardly merciful to have a dichotomy in the law of the Church in which some persons living in adultery are admitted to the sacraments, while it remains grave sin for others. The ultimate result of these differing interpretations of “Amoris Laetitia” can only result in a weakening of faith among Catholics everywhere.
KATHLEEN O’CONNELL, ESQ.
Manhattan
