German canon lawyer wants pope to clarify guidelines for divorced, remarried Catholics
Christa Pongratz-Lippitt | Oct. 14, 2016
A German canon lawyer has appealed to Pope Francis for clearer guidelines on whether or not divorced and remarried Catholics may receive the Eucharist. The pope's lack of clarity on the issue in his apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, has opened the door for theological controversy according to Dr. Georg Bier, a professor of Catholic theology at the University of Freiburg in southwestern Germany.
"I would like to know what the actual ruling is but up to now Pope Francis has chosen a singular way of working," Bier told German Catholic News Agency KNA. "He neither quotes nor rescinds present church teaching. This lack of clarity is not helpful as each side can quote the pope to underline their own position.
A lot indicated that Francis wanted to moderate strict bans, Bier said, "but the pope does not say this in binding, canonical terms and so individual bishops can either adopt new ways or not at their own discretion."
The German bishops are divided on the issue.
https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/german-canon-lawyer-wants-pope-clarify-guidelines-divorced-remarried-catholics
