Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Austen Ivereigh writing about the current Synod on the Family (IC 08/10/2015), quite rightly states that the backdrop to the synod is “the massive collapse across the western world of support for the Christian understanding of marriage in culture and now law – as Ireland, and most of our families have witnessed at first hand”.
But he then goes on to criticise the “rigorists” who grew “more resolute in their resistance to any change, refusing even to admit any move that would make the annulment system more accessible”. He then attacks statements made by Voice of the Family – “a traditionalist network of pro-life groups” – as being pharisaical. The situations which cause divorced or separated persons to enter new unions are many and varied, and some personal situations call for great sympathy on the part of pastors. However, if the truth about the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage is not presented then pastors (of whatever rank) are failing in their God-given duty.
It is always the free choice of the individual person or persons, and that alone, which separates them from the sacramental life of the Church.
The Church excludes none of her children from Holy Communion except those who have first chosen to exclude themselves by committing manifestly grave sin. True mercy requires sincere repentance. It was Christ himself who told us this – “Go, and sin no more”.
God always gives the graces necessary to remain free from mortal sin. The witness of the many spouses who do not enter into new unions testifies to the reality of this assistance. Such spouses ought to be honoured and receive all necessary assistance from the Church.
The Voice of the Family, as its title indicates, merely tries to make known the truth of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Yours etc.,
Lelia O’Flaherty,
Rathmines, Dublin 6