Cardinals’ questions about Amoris Laetitia already answered: Father Spadaro
November 29, 2016
The questions submitted by four cardinals about the interpretation of Amoris Laetitia have already been answered, according to Father Antonio Spadaro.
The Italian Jesuit, who is a close adviser to Pope Francis and reportedly played a leading role in drafting the papal document, said that the “interesting” questions raised by the four cardinals “were already raised during the Synod.” During the sessions of the Synod of Bishops, he said, “all of the necessary responses were given and more than once.”
Father Spadaro, who has been harshly critical of the four cardinals and their supporters, said that “a doubtful conscience can easily find all of the answers it seeks, if it seeks them with sincerity.” He said that Amoris Laetitia had opened an important debate, which could be useful to the Church. However, he set limits for that debate, excluding “those who use criticism for other purporses or ask questions in order to create difficulty or division.”
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Nov. 30, 2016 7:38 PM ET USA
I know these questioners are not dense,so why indeed can they not understand Amoris Laetitia?
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Posted by: feedback -
Nov. 30, 2016 10:51 AM ET USA
I love and respect the Holy Father, but still want to see the answer. Loud and clear.
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Posted by: DanS -
Nov. 29, 2016 9:26 PM ET USA
What's this now? The Jesuits reject the asking of questions?! The world has been turned on its head, and the Holy Father seems to be running away from hard questions, like a politician with something to hide!
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Posted by: jalsardl5053 -
Nov. 29, 2016 7:57 PM ET USA
A response so typical of a certain mindset, that is, simply allege something was done nevermind pointing to the actual proof/reality that it was done. Also typical of a certain mindset, that is, alleging that reasons other than what were stated were the real motivation for the questions. But then, this guy is a Jesuit and their mindset today is a bit far removed from yesteryear's for they are modern and run very modern universities (save your money in other words).
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Posted by: Biscjim -
Nov. 29, 2016 7:40 PM ET USA
If nobody understands, it hasn't been answered. Amores Laetitia was most likely written in its fundamentals, long before the synod ended. The questions being asked have very little to do with the synod and much to do about the Pope's agenda that was forced down the synod's throat.
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Nov. 29, 2016 7:29 PM ET USA
If all is so well defined and answered why do so many prelates and priests and laity have questions. This document is not doctrine and given the business of formulating your conscience your way much confusion will arise. Maybe that is what they want.
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Posted by: mwean7331 -
Nov. 29, 2016 7:16 PM ET USA
Really? There appears that many in the Church remain confused,even Bishops. Case in point, Bishop McElroy of San Diego. If the "sheperds" are confused then so are the rest of us. I think Father's pride is showing. He objects to anyone criticizing his work, perhaps. What would it be so awful for the Pope to make a definite statement about this issue in no uncertain terms? Are the German Bishops behind all of this, after all? There seems to be a power play behind all of this.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Nov. 29, 2016 7:10 PM ET USA
"A doubtful conscience can easily find all of the answers it seeks, if it seeks them with sincerity." Not true. If it was easy to find all the answers, the conscience would never be doubtful. Take the question of when does the soul become infused into the fetal person. No one knows, nor can anyone know. Thus the conscience is doubtful in the matter of the origin of a particular human life. Abortion is considered sinful because to consent to a moral act with a doubtful conscience is sinful.
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Posted by: filioque -
Nov. 29, 2016 6:10 PM ET USA
Well, maybe some of us missed those answers during the Synods, there was so much manipulation of information and other high-jinks going on. Would it really kill the normally loquacious Fr. Spadaro, or even Pope Francis, maybe during a morning homily in Domus Sanctae Martae, to say "No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes."?
