Toastmaster

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Feb 11, 2005

The Prince of Wales plans to marry a divorced woman, and the London Times headline about clerical reaction tells the whole story: "Civil Ceremony Wins Approval of Clergy.

Most of the story is of course devoted to statements from Anglican divines, who say what you would expect Anglican leaders to say about a morally difficult situation (especially when it involves the future head of their church). But there's a cameo appearance by the country's leading Catholic prelate:

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, said: “I know that Catholics will join with me at this time in praying for the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Parker Bowles and in wishing them every happiness.”

And there-- as fat Jack Falstaff might say-- ends his catechism. Nothing to suggest that this couple does not recognize the meaning of Christian marriage. Nothing about the fact that matrimony is a sacrament, which is why the ceremony should be held in a church. Nothing about the fact that one partner to this union is a Catholic, who is already married, and thus the proposed union is adulterous.

We wish them every happiness. In this life, I guess. Their relationship could cause them some serious problems in the next life, but nobody wants to hear that now.