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Divorced and Remarried Catholics in the Church

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This entry was posted on 2/29/2008 9:09 AM and is filed under uncategorized.

The Church has not forgotten nor rejected those who are divorced and have entered into another union, affirmed Milan's archbishop.

Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi affirmed this in a pastoral letter directed to the divorced and remarried titled "The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted."

"The fact that these relationships are frequently lived with a sense of responsibility and with love among the couple and for the children is a reality that the Church and its pastors take into account," the cardinal wrote. "It is an error to think that the norm regulating access to Eucharistic Communion means that divorced and remarried couples are excluded from a life of faith and charity, lived within the ecclesial community."

Certainly, "the Christian life has its summit in full participation in the Eucharist, but it is not reduced only to the summit," he said.

The cardinal asked divorced and remarried to "participate with faith in Mass," even though they cannot receive Communion. "The richness of ecclesial community life continues to be available to those who cannot receive Holy Communion," he affirmed.

The 73-year-old cardinal said that the Church hopes from these couples "an active presence and a willingness to serve those who need their help," beginning with the educational task they have as parents.

Article provided by ZENIT News Agency.


Some also have a mistaken idea that the divorce itself separates a member from receiving Holy Communion; not true.  Rather, the invalid state of a SACRAMENTAL marriage precludes reception. 

In all cases of doubt, please ask me how this precept of the Church applies to your own situation.  We could also discuss remedies that allow the sacramentalization of subsequent marriages that will bring about full communion.  The solutions do not always involve a declaration of nullity (an "anullment").

Fr Steve




 

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