The dates of Master’s Council are set eighteen months in advance, and the non routine items on the agenda come from Chapters. So it was that we found ourselves last Thursday (October 2nd), a few days before the Synod on the Family in Rome, discussing the admission of divorced priests who have remarried, brethren who having been divorced remarry or brethren who marry divorcees, all with previous spouses still living.
You will not be surprised to hear that, in a very sympathetic and pastoral way, the whole range of views on the matter were expressed. Frustration was also expressed at our not having the legal mechanisms that other churches have to help us.
In February Council is going to meet for a 28 hour residential and this will be on the agenda, with invited “experts” to guide us. If any brethren or chapters wish to make a contribution, please write to me. Until then the Rule & Statutes say that the teaching of the Western Church and her discipline is normative. Chapters are able to make a decision on an admission, preferably before a priest attends their first chapter. As with any other issue that might involve scandal or bring the Society into disrepute any brother having a concern is encouraged to contact myself.
Nicolas
[email protected]
You will not be surprised to hear that, in a very sympathetic and pastoral way, the whole range of views on the matter were expressed. Frustration was also expressed at our not having the legal mechanisms that other churches have to help us.
In February Council is going to meet for a 28 hour residential and this will be on the agenda, with invited “experts” to guide us. If any brethren or chapters wish to make a contribution, please write to me. Until then the Rule & Statutes say that the teaching of the Western Church and her discipline is normative. Chapters are able to make a decision on an admission, preferably before a priest attends their first chapter. As with any other issue that might involve scandal or bring the Society into disrepute any brother having a concern is encouraged to contact myself.
Nicolas
[email protected]
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