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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, November 17, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput has fired back at Cardinal-designate Kevin Farrell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suggestion that his guidelines for implementing Pope Francis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 controversial Exhortation Amoris Laetitia<\/em> are causing \u00e2\u20ac\u0153division.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder if Cardinal-designate Farrell actually read and understood the Philadelphia guidelines he seems to be questioning. The guidelines have a clear emphasis on mercy and compassion,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the archbishop stated in comments emailed to LifeSiteNews.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Farrell \u00e2\u20ac\u201d one of Pope Francis\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 most outspoken American supporters \u00e2\u20ac\u201d said that he disagreed with Chaput issuing his own guidelines in his own diocese, stating that implementing the pope\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exhortation should be done \u00e2\u20ac\u0153in communion\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with all U.S. bishops.<\/p>\n
But at the center of Farrell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s criticism appears to be Chaput\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s insistence that the document be interpreted, as Chaput has previously stated, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153within the tradition of the Church\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s teaching and life.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chaput\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s guidelines unequivocally state<\/a> that divorced and civilly remarried Catholics may not receive Holy Communion unless they \u00e2\u20ac\u0153refrain from sexual intimacy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
For Farrell, this is problematic.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t share the view of what Archbishop Chaput did, no,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the cardinal-designate told Catholic News Service on Tuesday. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think there are all kinds of different circumstances and situations that we have to look at \u00e2\u20ac\u201d each case as it is presented to us,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think that is what our Holy Father is speaking about, is when we talk about accompanying, it is not a decision that is made irrespective of the couple.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
But Chaput called Farrell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s criticism of his guidelines, and the fact that he issued the guidelines as a bishop acting in his own diocese, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153puzzling.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why would a bishop delay interpreting and applying Amoris Laetitia for the benefit of his people? On a matter as vital as sacramental marriage, hesitation and ambiguity are neither wise nor charitable,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chaput said.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think every bishop in the United States feels a special fidelity to Pope Francis as Holy Father. We live that fidelity by doing the work we were ordained to do as bishops. Under canon law \u00e2\u20ac\u201d not to mention common sense \u00e2\u20ac\u201d governance of a diocese belongs to the local bishop as a successor of the apostles, not to a conference, though bishops\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 conferences can often provide a valuable forum for discussion. As a former resident bishop, the cardinal-designate surely knows this, which makes his comments all the more puzzling in the light of our commitment to fraternal collegiality,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he added.<\/p>\n
Chaput doubled down on his key for interpreting the exhortation, stating that any implementation that contradicts not only Sacred Scripture but the Church\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s previous magisterial teaching is contrary to the mission of the Church given to her by Christ.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Life is messy. But mercy and compassion cannot be separated from truth and remain legitimate virtues. The Church cannot contradict or circumvent Scripture and her own magisterium without invalidating her mission. This should be obvious. The words of Jesus himself are very direct and radical on the matter of divorce,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.<\/p>\n
Amoris Laetitia <\/em>has been a hotbed of controversy since its publication in April. It has been criticized for its ambiguity on the issues of the indissolubility of marriage and whether couples in adulterous relationships can receive Holy Communion.<\/p>\n
In September, the Pope seemed to indicate his intention<\/a> in the document when he wrote to the bishops of Argentina that there was \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no other interpretation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of Amoris Laetitia<\/em> other than one admitting divorced and remarried Catholics to Holy Communion.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, four Cardinals went public<\/a> with their unanswered letter to Pope Francis that asked him to clarify \u00e2\u20ac\u0153uncertainty, confusion, and disorientation among many of the faithful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d stemming from the exhortation.<\/p>\n
One of the four cardinals, Raymond Burke, stated<\/a> Tuesday that should the pope fail to address their concerns the cardinals are contemplating a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153formal correction,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d something quite rare within the Church.<\/p>\n