The Weekly Message from Father Conrad
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Conventual Franciscan Friars: Father Conrad Salach, O.F.M. Conv., Pastor fracms@yahoo.com CLICK HERE to download this message |
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February 17, 2019
Sisters and Brothers of Our Parish Family,
It is an unfortunate misunderstanding by some divorced Catholics that, because of the broken state of their marriage, they may no longer attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. If a divorced loved one or friend has shared this with you, it would be a kindness to assure him/her that, as an important member of Christ’s Mystical Body, he/she has every reason to participate in the parish.
Holy Mother Church is very sensitive to the sorrow of her members. Our Holy Father expressed this in a recent address to divorced and remarried Catholics: “Let these men and women know that the Church loves them, that she is not far from them and suffers because of their situation. The divorced and remarried are, and remain, her members, because they have received Baptism and retain their Christian Faith.”
Whether or not they have remarried, they should be attending Sunday Mass. If they have not remarried (or are remarried after getting an annulment—or their former spouse has died), they should be experiencing the grace of the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion once again.
DIVORCE DOES NOT MEAN EXCOMMUNICATION, despite a widespread misunderstanding to the contrary. A divorced person is not required to seek an annulment unless he/she plans to marry again. So, a Catholic who is simply divorced is able to lead a normal sacramental life.
Living in an invalid and non-sacramental union, however, prevents both parties from receiving the sacraments—unless they are living chastely—until the irregularity can be corrected. But read again the Holy Father’s words—and mine—above.
I hope this explanation gives some of our sisters and brothers who find themselves in this situation the courage to reconnect with the Parish Family.
Peace and Blessings,
Father Conrad
Sisters and Brothers of Our Parish Family,
It is an unfortunate misunderstanding by some divorced Catholics that, because of the broken state of their marriage, they may no longer attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. If a divorced loved one or friend has shared this with you, it would be a kindness to assure him/her that, as an important member of Christ’s Mystical Body, he/she has every reason to participate in the parish.
Holy Mother Church is very sensitive to the sorrow of her members. Our Holy Father expressed this in a recent address to divorced and remarried Catholics: “Let these men and women know that the Church loves them, that she is not far from them and suffers because of their situation. The divorced and remarried are, and remain, her members, because they have received Baptism and retain their Christian Faith.”
Whether or not they have remarried, they should be attending Sunday Mass. If they have not remarried (or are remarried after getting an annulment—or their former spouse has died), they should be experiencing the grace of the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion once again.
DIVORCE DOES NOT MEAN EXCOMMUNICATION, despite a widespread misunderstanding to the contrary. A divorced person is not required to seek an annulment unless he/she plans to marry again. So, a Catholic who is simply divorced is able to lead a normal sacramental life.
Living in an invalid and non-sacramental union, however, prevents both parties from receiving the sacraments—unless they are living chastely—until the irregularity can be corrected. But read again the Holy Father’s words—and mine—above.
I hope this explanation gives some of our sisters and brothers who find themselves in this situation the courage to reconnect with the Parish Family.
Peace and Blessings,
Father Conrad