The German archdiocese of Freiburg has indicated its willingness to allow some remarried divorcees to receive Communion — but the Vatican has signalled the move should be halted until next year’s Synod on the Family is held.
Freiburg’s pastoral care office has published a 14-page guidebook for priests and deacons in the archdiocese with detailed recommendations on how to conduct “a pastorally and theologically profound discussion process” with remarried divorcees.
“Following a decision taken responsibly and according to one’s conscience, the possibilty can also arise, under concrete circumstances, to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Confession and Anointing of the Sick, as long as the necessary faithful disposition is present,” the guidebook says.
It then spells out what it means by “a decision taken responsibly and according to one’s conscience”.
Divorced congregants should be counselled, and they should be able to credibly show “that a return to the first partner is really not possible, and that the first marriage cannot conceivably be lived in again”.
They should show they take their faith seriously but have decided a second marriage was right for them and any family they have.
“Such a marriage also has a spiritual dimension because it is based on the personal belief of the partners and their participation in the life of the Church,” the guidebook notes.
The divorcee should repent of the fault he or she carries for the divorce, and should enter “a new moral responsibility” with the new partner.
If all these conditions are met, the receiving of sacraments can be allowed.
The head of Freiburg’s pastoral care office, Andreas Möhrle, said: “In contact with divorced and civilly married congregants, our concern is that the hospitable and respectful attitude of Jesus can be experienced…. The faithfulness and mercy of God also applies to those whose life plans have failed.”
But Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Freiburg guidebook “changes nothing” and “offering special pastoral solutions by individuals or local offices can risk causing confusion”.
He emphasised that Pope Francis was working with his bishops on a reform of family issues and stressing the importance of “conducting a journey in full communion with the Church community”.
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Image: DW