Ed Peter's: Patristic ‘life raft’ language refers to Confession, not Communion

Kudo's to Dr. Peter's for his reasoned response to Cardinal Kasper's statements, which even I found to be confusing.  As the re-married issue is more an emotional one than anything else, you can only combat it with Facts and Reason, rooted in the Faith. The answer to the re-married issue has been  laid out for centuries - Confession, Repentance and Reconciliation - which Dr. Peter's ably points out.

Is it the Church's problem if those hurt by their own self-inflicted wounds do not avail themselves of the remedy that is already in place?

The link to Cardinal Kasper's statements are within the post.

Patristic ‘life raft’ language refers to Confession, not Communion

March 1, 2014

In his recent remarks on holy Communion for divorced Catholics civilly remarried outside the Church, Cardinal Kasper made use of the Patristic locus communis of a ‘second plank after the shipwreck of sin’ as a basis for giving divorced and remarried Catholics “not a second boat, but a life raft” in the form of holy Communion.

Now, I don’t claim credentials as a Patrologist, but I will say that every time I have encountered “secunda tabula” language, it has referred to Confession being available to sinners after Baptism, not to holy Communion being available to Catholics living in, among other things, pseudo-matrimony.

Read the rest at his blog here.



Copyright 2014 David Heath - All Rights Reserved

KUDO's to Father Zuhlsdorf....

Over at Fr. Z's blog, a recent convert posted in the "Ask Father" column:

QUAERITUR:

I am in RCIA and am scheduled to be confirmed at Easter. I was raised Baptist and baptized as a teenager, as was my husband, but we had both left church and were only married civilly. I am converting to Catholicism. My husband is not and is hostile to Christianity. I asked my pastor about this and he said our marriage would be made OK when I was confirmed and that convalidation would not be needed, but everything I have read seems to say otherwise.

Also, there is a good change we may end up divorcing, so would it be wrong to have a convalidation if one is needed, knowing that upfront?

If not, should I hold off on confirmation, go through with it but abstain from the Eucharist until my marriage situation is sorted out and made valid, or what?

Thanks for your helps, and for the wise words and straight talk on your blog.

While I am ecstatic over another conversion to the One True Faith (Deo Gratias!), I was saddened also as the lady indicated a possible divorce was in the future, quite possibly from her converting. However, I was also gladdened once again with Fr. Z's wise counsel to the lady:

You raise the prospect of the marriage possibly ending in divorce. That is definitely something you should talk about with your pastor.

Divorce is serious business and should not be considered lightly.

If the reason for a possible divorce is the tension created by your new-found faith and your husband’s apparent hostility to Christianity, that should be discussed.  Perhaps counseling would help. Propose professional counseling, if your husband is unwilling to attend pastoral counseling. Divorce should not be seen as an inevitability.

Pray for your husband. His hostility to the Church might be something that can be overcome by your prayers and the witness of your own joy in embracing the faith.

Very wise counsel given by Fr. Zuhlsdorf! He could have just as easily been more neutral, rather than give such pro-active counsel. I urge all to head over and give Father Z thanks for Defending Holy Matrimony so well. 

I have already done so...

Copyright 2014 David Heath - All Rights Reserved

"Say Something" - Pentatonix Official Video

As I set here at 5:10 A.M. nursing a return of the cold that has interdicted the weekend with my teen boys, I remembered - as I usually do when my guard is down - how much I miss the Mother of my 10 children. And the inescapable fact that I still Love her despite the past three-and-a-half years and my now permanent place after her December re-marriage as the third leg of an unrequited Love Triangle. Oh, well...it is what the "I DO" meant when I professed it before my spouse and Our Lord Jesus Christ. If it needs to be repeated at all, if you truly understand that the Passions must be subdued by Reason, then you will understand my willingness and desire to stand alone at the Foot of this Cross despite the seemingly constant tug-of-war with my Conscience that I can now Canonically "Move on" with no scruples or doubt.

However, despite the fact that I have in my files two pieces of paper that have aborted my 20-plus year marriage against my wishes, desire and pleadings, I plainly cannot "move on". Why?  Because the simple, stark reality is that those papers cannot ever and will not ever be able to abort the Love within my Heart that resides there for the woman I married. So, here I stand...and here I will stay...til death we do part.

It is a Truth that you can always find something in art - or with artists - that has a close resemblance with your current life. And as art - at least the musical arts, anyway - affects the passions, you have to be careful not to let them (your passions) overtake you. That being said, if I were ruled by passions alone as regards this stupidity I find myself embroiled in, I can picture myself standing in front of her on some moonlit evening, pouring my heart out through the words of the song that follows. Simple...direct...plaintive...pleading...with the emphasis on the words and their meaning as the lone cello lends its somber melody. 

Of course, I cannot do this as she now bears another's name, but still...enjoy the artists, the music, the words... and remember your vows - and your Love - for the spouse who may be setting beside you, and fall into my dream for a few moments...



And No...I will never give up on her, as Our Lord has never given up on me. That is why Reason must always control the Passions.


                                     "Say Something"

                        Writer(s)  Ian Axel, Chad Vaccarino, Mike Campbell

Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you

And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all

And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl

Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you

And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye

Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere I would've followed you (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Say something, I'm giving up on you

Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something...

Copyright 2014 David Heath - All Rights Reserved