CWR: Fr. James Martin, SJ, has complained (on his Facebook page) that this decree is “discrimination” against people with same-sex attraction because it does not include heterosexuals who commit sin or non-sexual sins. Additionally, relating to people in same-sex “marriages” receiving Holy Communion, he recently told The New York Times, “Pretty much everyone’s lifestyle is immoral.” How do you respond?
Bishop Paprocki: Father Martin gets a lot wrong in those remarks. Everyone is a sinner, but not everyone is living an immoral lifestyle. Since we are all sinners, we are all called to conversion and repentance. He misses the key phrase in the decree that ecclesiastical funeral rites are to be denied to persons in same-sex “marriages” “unless they have given some signs of repentance before their death.” This is a direct quote from canon 1184 of the Code of Canon Law, which is intended as a call to repentance. Jesus began his public ministry proclaiming the Gospel of God with these words: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Applying this biblical teaching to the specific issue of funeral rites, people who had lived openly in same-sex “marriage,” like other manifest sinners that give public scandal, can receive ecclesiastical funeral rites if they have given some signs of repentance before their death.
Father Martin’s comments do raise an important point with regard to other situations of grave sin and the reception of Holy Communion. He is right that the Church’s teaching does not apply only to people in same-sex “marriages.” According to canon 916, all those who are “conscious of grave sin” are not to receive Holy Communion without previous sacramental confession. This is normally not a question of denying Holy Communion, but of people themselves refraining from Holy Communion if they are “conscious of grave sin.” While no one can know one’s subjective sinfulness before God, the Church can and must teach about the objective realities of grave sin. Speaking objectively, one can say, for example, that all those who have sexual relations outside of valid marriage, whether they are heterosexual or homosexual, should not receive Holy Communion unless they repent, go to confession and amend their lives. This includes the divorced and remarried without an annulment, as is well known from all the recent media attention on that issue. - Full interview here.
Well, aside from all of the above, I'm aware of folks who don't believe in the sacrament of confession, they claim they are "good people, believe in God, and aren't going to kill anybody." They have lived together before marriage, pregnant too, outside of marriage. Practice birth control, divorced, remarried, go to Mass whenever. Some claim they don't believe Jesus is present in Holy Communion but receive anyway "just so my mom will think I'm still Catholic."
ReplyDeleteSad part is these folks are many of my own family members. Some, whom I love dearly and pray for lots because I don't want them to be lost to the Lord.
I hope they and I will find our way through the narrow door while He can still be found.
Every time I read about the scandal of so-called "ss marriage" divorced/remarried, living together, engaged in a promiscuous lifestyle be it homosexual/heterosexual, every time this same old issue comes up over and over again, I cannot help but think about the many thousands that just don't care and go to Holy Communion regardless of what the Church teaches. I'm not claiming to read/know their hearts, minds or intentions either since I leave that to the Lord himself.
Let's keep praying.
This is a conundrum that I do not expect to see solved in my lifetime. Benedict was once quoted early in his reign that he expected a smaller Church would result from stricter teaching and enforcement. I guess that is coming true. I think this will be the catalyst for schism with breakaway groups on both sides. I see this with friends who have gravitated to the more liberal congregations two of which are schismatic. Or who jokingly called themselves "retired Catholics." I see it in the younger people as well who do not have a solid faith formation and just avoid the whole issue by staying away altogether. My pastor's homily last Sunday mentioned that the two largest Christian sects in US are Catholics and fallen away Catholics. After that the Protestant demoninations. In my parish it is my age group, 65+ that predominate. In ten years or less I expect after a few years of clustering there will not be enough to sustain a viable parish never mind have a full time priest. Some people blame Vatican II, but I wonder if the old ways could have survived contemporary forces any better. It does seem the prophecies of Fatima, Akita and Garabandel are being fulfilled before our eyes. Then again it all could change. I remember how after 911 my church was full to overflowing for a few weeks anyway. It may take a great cataclysm to wake up the sleeping. I feel sorry for those who are missing out of the comfort and power of sanctifying grace. I think of the passage in Evelyn Waugh's masterpiece, "Brideheads Revisited." The family has all in one way or another lost their faith. The narrator is Protestant and feels they are all screwy. The youngest daughter tries to explain to him that being a Catholic is serious business. She tells him it is like having a string attached to you. No matter how far you fall or run away there is always the tug that will bring you back. Right up til the moment of death. I love that passage. It is written much more beautifully then I have summarized it, but there it is.
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DeleteJon Voight is reported to have once said, "once Catholic, always Catholic."
DeleteI believe that. How can one escape the power of one's baptism? If one is confirmed, how then do I run from the power of the Holy Spirit especially if I have been anointed and sealed as His own?
I remain grateful (despite my many failures) to the Holy Spirit be bound and sealed to Him because He is life itself!
Wallace, I also wonder if the old ways could have survived contemporary forces. Everyone was throwing out the old ways of doing everything - not just Church stuff.
DeleteMy thing has been to refrain from criticizing Fr. Martin, S.J. - which is why I have been happy to post the Bishop response here. Bishop Paprocki explains things very well, clarifying that someone in a SS civil marriage may received the last sacraments and Catholic funeral, provided they repent. It is the same for all in irregular marriages and living conditions. It is not a lot to ask of anyone in light of eternity, and it is the constant teaching of the Church. The Bishops are obliged to make these things clear.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is balancing denial of sacraments (which is a pushing away, the closing of doors) with giving people the opportunity to repent. If Last Rites is one's final opportunity to repent in this world, how can you flat out deny access to that to a sinner, then condemn them when they don't do it? Makes no sense.
DeleteBut it's all up to God anyway, and both Paprocki and any sinners he's turned away will have equal face time with the God after death, so perhaps all this is moot in the end.
The problem as I see it Terry is the impossible task of implementing in a uniform way. There are exceptions parish to parish. There are exceptions by social class. Jackie Kennedy being one. Then the idea that many have lived quietly in irregular relationships. Not broadcasting the arrangement but everyone knows but cannot speak about it. So that public deception makes it ok to partake of sacraments and a Catholic burial. My father donated his body to our local medical school in 1967 which included cremation. My mother had a royal fit because he would be denied a Catholic burial. He died twenty years later and the rules had changed. So, they both got what they wanted. Sucicide once meant an automatic denial. Not anymore. I understand SS marriage is more complicated but why? Because it is public? The problem I have is it seems ok if you just keep quiet. Like I said, it will split the Church in two. Neither side is likely to budge. So, people will parish shop and find the priest who will provide or go to a splinter group or the Anglicans. I just cannot see how to implement. I know it is the Bishop's job to enforce but in reality it is unenforable across the board. I think we are back to "don't ask don't tell."
ReplyDeleteFolks will continue to live in the dark as they see fit as long as it makes them feel good. Should the kind Bishop take a stand in defense of what the Church has taught for centuries, good for him because if people were less emotional and more reasonable they would understand that "faith is not feelings" and listen and be grateful to be forewarned lest they lose the kingdom and gain Gehenna.
DeleteI am going to pray for the grace to listen and to believe no matter my feelings. I was taught long ago and I never forget ... "faith is not feelings." Thank you Ned! Rest in peace.
Some days I just don't know what to say.
ReplyDeleteTo a certain extent I understand what he is saying..this just puts a split in the Church and alienates people. Bishop P would be my Bishop if I lived in my hometown..but not where I live now. So...I would not be allowed a funeral if I lived downstate, or if I kicked the bucket over the diocese line,,,but I would be fine and dandy if I lived in a diocese? Makes no sense and seems like a bit of both administrative goofiness and mumbo jumbo that turns people off. One man can say, yes, but another man can say no???
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to basic thrust of the Bishops move is to keep those darn gays quiet and in their place. It is all about causing a Scandal...not that people who have affairs, divorces remarriages don't cause a scandal...(cause we all know about those things don't kid yourselves. ) Is the priest going to ask someone who shacked up if they are sorry for that sin, and deny them a funeral if they are not? We know the answer to that.
I would also have to say, personally, that I don't believe that God would want me to revoke my relationship and my family on my death bed..and I would not do so. It might make me a GOOD Catholic but it would make me a weak and poor man and human being. THAT is what Bishop P is actually saying, "Tell us WE are right and you are wrong or we are going to just throw you in a hole!" Really odd , but this is the guy who did an Exorcism of Illinois but we still have Madigan and are in the hole for billions of dollars of unpaid bills.
All I can think is, "What would Mary Magdalene say?" The call to repentance is a gift.
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