Newly appointed Archbishop of Brussels welcomes 'unbelievable' change in Church approach to marriage
November 10, 2015
The newly appointed Archbishop of Brussels said that it is “unbelievable” how much the Synod of Bishops had changed views on marriage, in an interview with the Kerknet news service.
Archbishop-elect Jozef De Kesel said that although the Synod had not actually called for allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion, the approach to issues was markedly different. “The mentality is really not the same anymore,” he said.
The Belgian prelate said that while the Synod had heard much discussion of “mercy” for people in irregular marriages, he found that term “still somewhat condescending.” He said that he would prefer to use terms such as “respect and esteem for man as my starting point.” Such an approach, he suggest, could be “a value that we, as Christians, share with the prevailing culture.”
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Further information:
- New Belgium Archbishop: "Mercy" is "somewhat condescending...I like words like 'respect' and 'esteem'" (Catholic World Report)
- Allereerste interview nieuwe aartsbisschop Jozef De Kesel (Kerknet)
- Pope names bishops to prominent sees in Spain, Belgium (CWN, 11/6)
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Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Nov. 12, 2015 7:34 AM ET USA
The damage this Pope is doing to the Church is immense. I used to defend him vigorously from unjust and snarky attacks from traditionalists, but from allowing this mess of a Synod to appointing bishops like this, I am finding it very hard to defend him especially when he calls those who defend Church teaching "heartless Pharisees."
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Posted by: feedback -
Nov. 11, 2015 10:24 AM ET USA
The problem is that there is little respect and esteem for man and his dignity in the prevailing culture.
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Posted by: jimr451 -
Nov. 11, 2015 7:24 AM ET USA
So we have Matthew 19:8, and 1 Corinthians 11:29, and centuries of shared belief that divorce-remarriage puts both people into a state of grave sin. How exactly is it "merciful" to encourage those people to eat/drink judgement upon themselves? How is it "condescending" to point out (lovingly, of course) what Jesus himself clearly stated? I'm no theologian or intellectual genius, so maybe I'm missing something.
