Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, one of the four cardinals who have asked Pope Francis to reaffirm Church teaching, has discussed the possibility of a “fraternal correction” of the Pope.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Cardinal Brandmüller said that such a correction would probably be made first “in camera caritatis” – an expression meaning “spoken in private”.
Cardinal Brandmüller was speaking after another of the quartet, Cardinal Burke, suggested that the formal correction could take place in the New Year.
Cardinal Burke said such a correction would be “very simple”, and “would no longer be raising questions, but confronting the confusing statements in Amoris Laetitia with what has been the Church’s constant teaching and practice, and thereby correcting Amoris Laetitia”.
In their request to the Pope – five questions known as dubia – the four cardinals (Burke, Brandmüller, Joachim Meisner and Carlo Caffarra) ask the Pope to reaffirm the teachings of his predecessors, in particular Pope St John Paul II.
These teachings include the traditional doctrine that the divorced and civilly remarried cannot be admitted to Holy Communion, except in some cases where they endeavour to live “as brother and sister”. This teaching was reaffirmed by St John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
In the aftermath of the Pope’s recent document Amoris Laetitia, some bishops have suggested that the teaching no longer need be applied.
The dubia also ask the Pope to reaffirm the Church’s teaching on the validity of exceptionless moral laws, and on the nature of conscience, as expressed in John Paul’s Veritatis Splendor.
The dubia were sent privately in September. The Pope declined to reply, which the cardinals took as an invitation to continue the discussion publicly. It was also, the cardinals said, a way to reassure Catholics who were worried about whether Church teaching was being upheld.
Cardinal Brandmüller said he believes Cardinal Burke “is convinced that a fraternal correction must in the first instance be made in camera caritatis.”
Cardinal Brandmüller also said: “We cardinals expect a response to the dubia, as the lack of a response would be seen by many within the Church as a rejection of the clear and articulate adherence to the clearly defined doctrine.”
Francis will travel to Fatima on centenary of apparitions
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit Portugal in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions of Fatima.
The Pope, who accepted the invitation made by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the bishops of Portugal, “will go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima from May 12-13,” the Vatican said last month.
The pilgrimage will mark the anniversary of the Marian apparitions, which first began on May 13, 1917, when three shepherd children reported seeing the Virgin Mary.
The apparitions continued once a month until October 13, 1917, and later were declared worthy of belief by the Church.
Fr Carlos Cabecinhas, rector of the Fatima shrine, told the Portuguese bishops’ conference news agency: “For the shrine of Fatima, it is a great joy to receive this confirmation of Pope Francis’s visit.”
Francis will be the fourth reigning pontiff to visit the shrine, following Blessed Paul VI, St John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who each paid homage on the anniversary of the May 13 apparition. John Paul believed Our Lady of Fatima saved his life when an assassin shot him on May 13 1981.
New director for Vatican Museums
A woman has been appointed director of the Vatican Museums for the first time.
Barbara Jatta, 54, is an Italian art historian and graphic arts expert, who had been serving as vice-director of the museums since June. She will replace 77-year-old Antonio Paolucci, who had been director since 2007.
Each year millions of people visit the Vatican Museums, which include the Sistine Chapel and more than 50 different galleries. It is one of the largest museums in the world.
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