Vatican disapproves of policy allowing divorced/remarried Catholics to receive Communion in German archdiocese
October 09, 2013
The Vatican has asked the Archdiocese of Freiburg, Germany, to revise guidelines that would allow for Catholics who are divorced and remarried to receive the Eucharist.
The policy inaugurated by the German archdiocese this week “risks causing confusion,” the Vatican said. The Freiburg archdiocese had suggested that divorced and remarried Catholics could receive Communion if they expressed contrition for the failures of their earlier marriages.
The reception of Communion by divorced and remarried Catholics has been a contentious issue, particularly in German-speaking countries. Both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have said that the Church must provide pastoral support for divorced Catholics, but neither Pontiff has called for a change in the Church teaching that bars Communion for those who divorced and remarried after a valid union.
The Synod of Bishops, which will meet in October 2014 to discuss pastoral efforts to strengthen the family, is expected to address this issue.
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