Communion for divorced and remarried (Catholics) “closed case,” says cardinal

Catholic News Agency ^ | October 28, 2005

[NYer]

Rome, Oct. 28, 2005 (CNA) - In an interview published Thursday in the Italian daily La Reppublica, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said the issue of no Communion for the divorced and remarried is closed.

“The case is closed. There is no doubt.  The divorced and remarried cannot receive Communion.  It makes no sense to raise hopes that the position will be changed,” he said.

The cardinal noted that these cases represent “painful and dramatic situations, and they are a wound that we make our own.  But everything has been considered with pastoral prudence and clarity of teaching.”

Those who have divorced and entered into a new union do not have “ a true marriage,” the cardinal maintained, “and they are in an objective situation that is against the will of God and does not allow for them to approach Communion.  Therefore I don’t think it is acceptable to discuss this issue as if it were an open question, as if the doors were left open for the future, creating hopes of a possible change.”

The cardinal said that from a doctrinal perspective the reason is clear.  He noted the different biblical passages on marriage and referred to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states, “The Church does not have the power to go against divine wisdom.”  He also recalled Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, in which he called for greater pastoral care for those in such situations, while at the same time reiterating that such unions are a violation of the commandments.

Cardinal Lopez Trujillo’s comments came on the heels of statements by Cardinal Waltar Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, who said that more discussion was needed on the issue.

“Cardinal Kasper is an important person, a theologian.  I think he wanted to discuss the pastoral needs of divorced and remarried couples and what he said was not well understood.”

Cardinal Lopez Trujillo noted that Pope Benedict XVI, when he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, sent a letter to Cardinal Kasper and two other German bishops in which he pointed out that “no modification of this doctrine is possible.”

“The letter was signed by Cardinal Ratzinger and approved by John Paul II.  You cannot put the current Pope in contradiction with Cardinal Ratzinger.  No modification of this doctrine is possible.  The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith never left a door open.  It is not a disputed or disputable question,” he stated.

For this reason, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo does not believe the Pope will reverse the prohibition of Communion for the divorced and remarried in his expected post-synod exhortation.  “The Pope has stated with great clarity that it is not possible for them to approach the Eucharist.  He has said that they should be attended to with mercy.”

Cardinal Lopez Trujillo also explained that the recent Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist “left no room for doubt about the teaching of the Church in their approved proposals.  It is not an open question.  When the Lord commands, the bishops and the faithful must obey.  One should not expect Benedict XVI to go against Pope Wojtyla or against the teaching that has been calmly accepted by the Church, and known to us all.”

Those who have divorced and remarried can receive Communion, the cardinal clarified, “if they promise to live as brother and sister and refrain from sexual relations.”

[NYer]

Those who have divorced and remarried can receive Communion, the cardinal clarified, “if they promise to live as brother and sister and refrain from sexual relations.”

If both spouses mutually agree to not exercise their marital rights, theirs is said to be a "Josephite marriage" akin to the marriage of Mary and Joseph, but if the marital rights are exercised, the marital act must be open to life. Artificial contraception is strictly forbidden, though the use of "natural family planning" (often abbreviated as "N.F.P.") may be used in grave circumstances. For a fuller view of Christian marriage, see Pope Pius XI's Casti Connubii and Pope Leo XIII's Arcanum. For more explicit teachings on N.F.P., see Pope Pius XII's Address to Midwives.
Holy Matrimony

[Salvation]

**The divorced and remarried cannot receive Communion**

BTTT!

[Salvation]

However, if a divorced person does NOT remarry -- they may receive Communion!

[Pyro7480]

Cardinal Lopez Trujillo’s comments came on the heels of statements by Cardinal Waltar Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, who said that more discussion was needed on the issue.

“Cardinal Kasper is an important person, a theologian. I think he wanted to discuss the pastoral needs of divorced and remarried couples and what he said was not well understood.”

Cardinal Lopez Trujillo noted that Pope Benedict XVI, when he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, sent a letter to Cardinal Kasper and two other German bishops in which he pointed out that “no modification of this doctrine is possible.”

“The letter was signed by Cardinal Ratzinger and approved by John Paul II. You cannot put the current Pope in contradiction with Cardinal Ratzinger. No modification of this doctrine is possible. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith never left a door open. It is not a disputed or disputable question,” he stated.

In other words, with all charity, shut your mouth, Cardinal Kasper. The cafeteria is closed, and all you do by your words is help to undermine the Church.

[The Phantom FReeper]

What if the marriage is annulled?

[DesScorp]

And if you don't like it....find another religion.

[paudio]

John Pierre Kerry will be unhappy with this Bishop's comment.

[newzjunkey]

People who divorce and remarry without an annulment can't get Communion because they're still married in the eyes of the Church and if they engage in sexual relations with their new civily-wedded spouse they are committing adultery. This is why you need to seek an annulment along with a divorce.

"Marriage" and "divorce" by the State is not of the Marital Sacrament. Nor is it sacred (it can't be, the State is not a religious authority!) regardless of what Bush and those opposed to homosexual civil unions say in their arguments. This is why I would like the State to uniformly stop using "marriage" as a term of art and find another term or phrase to describe the civil licenses it offers.

[mickie]

If a widow marries a widower, can she receice cummunion?

[newzjunkey]

John F'n Kerry sought an annulment SEVEN years after they finalized their divorce back in 1988. His ex-wife had requested an increase in alimony. Coincidence?

He eventually got an annulment from the Boston diocese despite Thorne’s objections. I don't think anyone know what grounds he found to win this annulment. They were married 18 years. Had two children together.

I'm not an expert but I don't know how Kerry did it. I think a part of the requirements is to show deception (overt or covert, directly or implied) such as to go into a marriage intending to be unfaithful, intending to deny procreation or simply not stay in the marriage "til death do us part."

[A CA Guy]

If it is a divorce caused by adultery, spousal abuse or refusal to have children the church approves of the divorce, then the innocent person does get to receive communion as I understand it.

I think this is mostly applicable to those who just divorce for any reason and not those allowed by the Church.

[newzjunkey]

It's been quite some time since I had my studies (I need a refresher) but I recall that since marriage is "until death" those who have outlived another spouse can remarry. There wouldn't be a communion prohibition either. A new marriage is under different grounds, however. I can't remember the specifics but I recall a second marriage is not about the procreative act and sex inside this second marriage is acceptable.

ALL: Corrections, clarifications, resources welcome.

[bigsigh]

In it's history, the chucch sold indulgences. In the modern times, it sold annulments. Kennedy, Kerry, and I can't remember some of the other powerful and rich who got thiers.

[NYer]

What if the marriage is annulled?

If the marriage is annulled, then they may receive communion.

This is often a contentious topic as many catholics and non-catholics do not understand the annullment process. Suffice it to say that catholics are no different from their non-catholic brethren. Sometimes, they make mistakes and marry for the wrong reasons. These issues are evaluated by the Church during an annullment inquiry. If it is determined that the couple were not in a 'valid' catholic marriage (one of the two chose not to have children and prevented procreation; the couple never attended pre-Cana classes, etc), then the 'marriage' is annulled, since it wasn't a marriage by catholic understanding, in the first place.

[AlaninSA]

You're RIGHT!

That's exactly it. You know, my own parish runs an annulment sale each spring. Half-off every year. And, in the event that we have a "dry spell," we run a CLEARANCE SALE!

We even have an annulment gift shop! You can get T-shirts, keychains and everything.

Sheesh! The things some people will believe! You don't "buy" an annulment, pal. Check NYer's post and get the facts.

[Campion]

In the modern times, it sold annulments.

An annulment investigation is a legal process. Canon lawyers have to eat, too. Most (all?) dioceses make provisions to help people who can't afford to pay the full cost.

You might as well accuse the U.S. government of "selling justice" because lawyers don't work for free.

[magisterium]

Of course. In the case you give, neither one has a living spouse, and the commitment of "till death do us part" has been fulfilled. They are as free to marry as they were before their first marriages, with absolutely no stigma , impediment or sanction. See 1 Corinthians 7:39.

[NYer]

John Pierre Kerry will be unhappy with this Bishop's comment.

John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and all their ilk could care less and neither could the clergy that serve them in their heterodox parishes. Besides, they will have to answer to a higher Power some day.

[magisterium]

That's not really correct. *Anyone* who has divorced and NOT remarried may still receive communion, regardless of the grounds for the divorce. The issue that impedes receiving communion isn't the divorce but the *remarriage.* That constitutes an ongoing state of adultery (Matt. 5:31-32, Matt. 10:09, Mark 10: 11-12, Luke 16:18), or an ongoing state of mortal sin, and THAT is why communion cannot be received.

If the original spouse of each of the "remarried" peple dies, then it is possible for the couple to have their maried sanated in the Church, and from that time on, the marriage will be valid and they can return to the Sacraments. That is the only way for them to do so short of disolving their putative marriage.

Well, actually, there is one additional exception. The Church recognizes that, in some of these second marriages, there are young children involved who are products of that marriage. It may not be financially possible to dissolve the family because of the children's welfare. In this case, IF a couple promises to refrain from relations, and live as "brother and sister," they can approach their pastor with the situation and return to the Sacraments, provided that they can ALSO do this without scandalizing the faithful in their parish.