A recent Op-Ed in the Rhode Island Catholic diocesan newspaper has begun to stir discussion among local faithful. The premise of the article was simply to question whether a pastoral need exists to examining the doctrinal teachings of the Church in regards to the admittance of civilly remarried couples to the sacraments. The presumption is that these couples, one or both of whose first marriage ended in divorce, have ardently asked the Church to declare their first marriage null but were told there was not sufficient evidence to grant their request.
The discussion will continue but it must not be solely about Communion. It must include a conversation about the sacraments of healing, confession and anointing, which include absolution of sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the sacraments “touch all the important moments of Christian life. They give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith.” Furthermore, the intimate physical union with Christ in the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith is the preeminent moment of Grace for all the faithful.
The consternation is not about ignoring Church law but continued discernment of it. To grow in wisdom and understanding, any movement would not be permitting remarried Catholics to receive communion in violation of the law. The more pastoral question is whether the law of the Church of Jesus Christ should have the intent to deny some of the most faithful and practicing Catholics access to the very means by which God’s grace is transmitted.
