Ecumenical Patriarch praises Amoris Laetitia in Vatican newspaper column
December 05, 2016
Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has voiced his admiration for Amoris Laetitia, in a column published in the Vatican newspaper, L‘Osservatore Romano.
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The Orthodox leader expresses his appreciation for the emphasis that Pope Francis places on taking into account the particular circumstances of every marriage:
What has undoubtedly smothered and hampered people in the past is the fear that a “heavenly father” somehow dictates human conduct and prescribes human custom. The truth is quite the opposite, and religious leaders are called themselves to remember and in turn to remind that God is life and love and light.
In Orthodox communions, the faithful can divorce and remarry with the approval of their priests.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Dec. 05, 2016 10:17 PM ET USA
The Ecumenical Patriarch says in the cited article: "It is important to observe that Amoris Laetitia recalls first and foremost the mercy and compassion of God, rather than solely the moral rules and canonical regulations of men." Our "rules of men" (Church precepts, new applications of moral principles, etc.) are derived from the same sources as our dogmas and are equally binding. How can a moral precept confirmed by the Magisterium and affirmed by the "whole Church" cease to compel in our age?
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Posted by: FredC -
Dec. 05, 2016 9:03 PM ET USA
Of course the patriarch likes it. It confirms the remarriage that the Orthodox have been doing all along, perhaps appeasing the patriarch's conscience. My Orthodox friend says the Orthodox also allow contraception.
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Posted by: unum -
Dec. 05, 2016 7:01 PM ET USA
So, is God a loving Father or a Supreme Court justice? With all of this wrangling among the Cardinals it is hard for the faithful to know. However, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew puts it beautifully when he says, "in light of the imminent feast of the Lord’s Incarnation ... it is important to observe that Amoris Laetitia recalls first and foremost the mercy and compassion of God, rather than solely the moral rules and canonical regulations of men.
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Posted by: filioque -
Dec. 05, 2016 5:53 PM ET USA
The good patriarch must be feeling sorely in need of friends to cozy up to the embattled Pope Francis. He should consider that Jesus did indeed dictate human conduct and promised to reward those who do the will of His Father and to send the rest to eternal punishment, where there will be no life, and love, and light.
