Synod Pre-Game Show II

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JMJ

I just skimmed Bishop Tobin's article on the upcoming synod and a reply by Dr. Peters.

Aside from his suggestions in reducing the barriers (making the process faster), which will only result in more 'annulments' (simple economics), there appears to be a cultural assumption missing.  The purpose of the annulment process isn't to allow the couple to marry again etc.  Its purpose is to determine whether or not a Catholic marriage was contracted.

It is a search for the truth.



This appears to have been lost, just like in the canonization process.  In the desire to achieve the end, the means are been adulterated.

The following passage of Bishop Tobin stood out as an example of this desire for 'mercy'.

But at the same time, the Church has taught the pre-eminent value of receiving the Holy Eucharist, and I keep hearing the words of Jesus about the Eucharist, words that are just as valid and important as His words about marriage: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” (Jn 6:53)
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Nevertheless, my forty-one years as a priest and nearly twenty-two as a bishop have convinced me that the status quo is unacceptable. For the spiritual well-being of the divorced and remarried members of our Catholic Family, for the salvation of their souls, we’ve got to do something! (source)

The key item here is the primacy of 'salvation of their souls'.  I don't know if Bishop Tobin has considered:

And therefore, if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, he will be held to account for the Lord’s body and blood. 28 A man must examine himself first, and then eat of that bread and drink of that cup; 29 he is eating and drinking damnation to himself if he eats and drinks unworthily, not recognizing the Lord’s body for what it is. (Knox: 1 Cor 11:27-29)

Yes, the salvation of their souls is at stake.  But not for the reasons that Bishop Tobin indicates.  It is because the 'married, divorced and re-married' are living in a state of concubinage.  They are living in a public state of mortal sin.  To re-admit them is not mercy, it is a condemnation.

What is really necessary is the reinforcement of Church doctrine and indoctrination on the permanency of Christian Marriage (yes - even the protestants are included).

All that Bishop Tobin wants to do is open the barn door wider.

P^3