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Hi, Jacques —
Thanks for your question.
The Church's discipline in this matter
is clear and your daughter is doing
the right thing.
That's really where your concern
should end. If indeed these other
people are divorced, remarried, and
are receiving Communion without an
annulment, they are violating Church
discipline and living a lifestyle
which contradicts the Church's moral
teaching.
While it's true that their openly
receiving Communion is a cause for
scandal, ultimately it is a matter
between them, Church authority, and
God. If they have been told by a
priest that it is OK for them to
do what they are doing, then the
priest is, just as, if not more, responsible
then they are; but again, this is
something the priest will ultimately
have to account for on Judgment Day.
It's not your place to concern yourself
with other people's sin. You have
an interest in your daughter's situation
and, even there, your interest is only
as a father giving advice. Technically,
a person in your daughter's situation,
should be abstaining from marital
relations until the Church determines
whether or not an annulment can be
granted. I'd be willing to bet very
few couples in this situation actually
abide by this discipline. That said,
let me ask you:
- How would you feel if someone
approached you or your priest
about your daughter continuing
to live with her second
husband before she was granted
an annulment?
- How would you feel if I asked
you if your daughter was abstaining
from marital relationships until
the Church determined whether
an annulment could be granted
and until, after such time, the
marriage was convalidated?
I think you'd be more than a little
upset. I think you'd tell me to mind
my own business!
My point is this: Neither you or
I are the executive secretary to
the Holy Spirit. While the priest
is clearly wrong in the answer he
gave you, you were approaching him
about a matter that wasn't your business.
Had he given you such an answer about
a matter that directly concerned
you, I'd say report him to the bishop
but you were sticking your nose in
someone else's business. I can appreciate
the fact that someone else's actions
became a source of scandal but, by
the same token, I need to challenge
your motivation in pursuing this
matter further.
- Are you truly concerned for the
soul of this other couple or
are you being self-righteous?
John
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