Don't take it personally...if it touches you wrongly, then I apologize. I don't think what I wrote was a insult. The lazy coward Brother al And by the way...I said you were sometimes.
It is really not at all that complicated. The "path" has been and is always there for sinners to take. It requires the sinner to discontinue his/her sinful behavior. Divorced & remarried persons are objectively living in a seriously sinful way. Read familiaris consortio - it addresses this specifically, was written by a saint, and written for our times being only 35 years ago. This has nothing to do about paying dues, we will never be able to pay enough for the gift of the Eucharist.
Of course there is if they are either no longer living together or validly married. Is that what you mean? You cannot have a contrite heart and still live in sin.
Brother al Come on now. No one on this thread has stated that those in second unions who have seen that such are objectively sinful and who live as brother and sister may not receive Holy Communion. The burden of proof is on you here.
In these times, the majority will follow error. The minority will stay with the Truth. I am very much at Peace sticking with the Truth, who is a Someone, not a something. John 16:2
I've been praying about how to deal with otherwise good Catholics who refuse to see what is going on before our eyes. For the Pharisees and Sadducees Jesus used parables.
Well I don't know how good a Catholic I am but I'm still finding it difficult coming to terms with things. But I'll keep on right on praying and thinking and mulling things over.
My wife and others here at home have said I am a "different" person since the strokes. Much more at peace, much more fun, much more thankful for simple things, much more prayerful. I hope they're right. Many of my prayers over the years for spiritual things have finally been answered. God is good. But we have to defend the Faith, regardless of where the error originates. That's not an attack. It's not "hate." It's simple Faith. If for that we're persecuted, it's a small price to pay.
For the record Garabandal I have never seen you as an extremist. I too have been got at by FS in the past. Funny how recently I have neglected to bless my enemies in my morning prayers. I always did. Your concerns with FS have reminded me to do so. I do not regard you as an enemy and never have but I hope God blesses you abundantly and keeps you safe in His peace.
I only refuse to see things your way Brian. As for the rest my eyes are wide open and my field of vision is filled with the goodness of Pope Francis. We have totally different lenses and the only optometrist who can help is God. Maybe, like Joey, He will give us new eyes. Of course the trouble is that neither of us feel the need to change prescription. If ever I do I will be at the head of the queue. (Line)
The official title of Henry VIII was "Defender of the Faith" but that was given before he turned against the Pope, split the Church and took the English people with him into Apostasy.
As I said, "But we have to defend the Faith, regardless of where the error originates. That's not an attack. It's not "hate." It's simple Faith. If for that we're persecuted, it's a small price to pay."
I am not sure what your response means but As far as I am concerned the error is not in the pope but in the way he is understood. To me his meaning is always clear and full of goodness.
Personally, I have no idea what Pope Francis is getting at much of the time. Yes, I am quite confused. But, proclaiming the Year of Mercy came straight from the Holy Spirit, and that may be the most important thing he has done or will do. I will simply repeat what the Church says - mercy presupposes repentance. The Father was very merciful to the Prodigal Son, but that presupposed that the Prodigal Son actually returned. What I feared most (and I'm certain you can find it in my older posts if you look) seems to have come to pass. That is - Pope Francis has not contradicted any doctrine (it cannot be possible) but there is more than enough ambiguity in order for that impression to be given. Ambiguity is NOT a good thing when it comes to Papal and/or Magisterial teachings. The purpose of said teachings is to shed light on the truth, which is not served by ambiguity. The media is more than happy to pile on and interpret any ambiguous statements according to their agenda, and most Catholics go no further than what the media says. There is also a faction within the Church which is using this ambiguity to advance their agenda. For my part, you will find me securely fastened in my cabin aboard the barque of Peter as the ship shudders, tosses and turns with the ship's officers running here and there.
Priests and bishops are saying it's clear as mud. http://wdtprs.com/blog/2016/04/all-...-duty-to-ask-for-an-authentic-interpretation/ “All members of the Church… have the duty to ask for an authentic interpretation.” At the Italian site Corrispondenza romana we find a longish reaction to Amoris laetitia from His Excellency Most Reverend Athanasius Schneider. The text is in Italian, but eventually it will be translated in full (but not by me and not today). Here is a taste: The need for a “veritatis laetitia” Fortunately and without question Amoris laetitia contains theological insights and affirmations of great pastoral value. Nevertheless, realistically, it is insufficient to affirm that LA would be interpreted according to the doctrine and traditional practice of the Church. When in an ecclesiastical document, which in our case is lacking a definitive and infallible character, there are discovered elements of interpretation and application that could have dangerous spiritual consequences, all the members of the Church, and in the first place bishops who are the fraternal collaborators of the Sovereign Pontiff in effective collegiality, have the duty to indicate this fact respectfully and to ask for an authentic interpretation. When ambiguous elements of the Exhortation seem, in an honest reading, to contradict Catholic doctrine and practice, and when there is a realistic danger that some priests and people will willingly interpret the ambiguities in a way that manifestly contradicts Catholic doctrine, and then they cause scandal and spread errors, we have a right and duty to seek clarifications, solid teaching, authentic interpretations of the law, which defends and upholds doctrine. It seems to me that it is not enough simply to read again what Card. Schönborn said during the presser that presented the Letter. Nor is it sufficient to review what Pope Francis said in an airplane presser about reviewing what Card. Schönborn said. I, for one, would like open statements that are clear, informed by charity, and easy to understand. The moderation queue is ON.
I remember going out fishing in very rough conditions on Lough Neigh standing at the bow looking out for hazards as the small boat was lifted and crashed with each wave and the spray stinging my face. It was great. I had full confidence in my cousin John and he had full confidence in the holy medal under whose protection he sailed. He could not swim. I had no doubt in his expertise and no fear of disaster. We always (apart from one wee scare when we hit a submerged rock- I ended up swimming for help) returned safe to harbour with a full catch. John did not have much of a choice. Either he fished or the family went without. I have the same confidence in Pope Francis. Ambiguity in the language of Pope Francis does not appear from my position as I look out over the course he is plotting. Any hidden dangers come from below and within the stormy waters and foggy weather like the submerged rock on Lough Neigh. We will get home on a wing and a prayer but it will be a strong wing and a good prayer. And we will all pull together eventually. Pope Francis is a highly skilled fisherman and it is not his fault if others create a fog that brings the barque onto hidden rocks that threaten disaster. The rescue is, however, guaranteed.
I envy you in this. My heart and my head are foten having arguments about him. Sometimes the head is winning, sometimes the heart. But I am at peace. God's Will be done. I suppose at the end of the day it doesn't matter much what I think or don't think, sp long as I keep praying.
Once again I thank God for the lenses He has given me. We are told that God has chosen what is foolish in the eyes of the world (the likes of me) to confound the wise ( the likes of Brian and those priests and Bishops who doubt and object) In my view Pope Francis has not put forward one wrong step. How can such seemingly erudite men of the Church fail to see his meaning when it is clear to one as simple as me? I pray that God corrects their vision in time to avoid disaster. I pray that God opens their ears and shuts their mouths until they are ready, like Zechariah and John the Baptist, to give the name assigned by God to Our Holy Father; Vicar of Christ. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.
I feel the same Padraig When I see the Pope hearing the confessions of young people in St Peter's Square or taking the migrants onto the plane my heart soars. The Pope's deeds are indeed sermons. But sometimes when he speaks or writes I find it so hard to understand some of his words it leaves my mind bamboozled (as the apostles sometimes with Jesus!). So I much prefer to watch him in action. And always I pray for him and the shepherds.
