The names of 45 priests and theologians who are asking for a clarification of Amoris Laetitia have been disclosed.
The National Catholic Reporter published the list of signatories to the letter, which has been sent to all 218 cardinals and patriarchs.
They include Fr Aidan Nichols, one of Britain’s most distinguished theologians; the bioethicist Professor Luke Gormally, a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Fr Giovanni Scalese, the leader of Catholics in Afghanistan; and many other well-known names, including seminary professors and university teachers.
The letter, which has been seen by the Catholic Herald, asks the cardinals to request a clarification from the Pope that some interpretations of Amoris Laetitia are heretical.
The letter does not accuse Pope Francis of false teaching, but it says some passages can easily give rise to interpretations at odds with Catholic doctrine. The letter says that a clarification would allow the “many valuable teachings” of Amoris Laetitia to “have their true effect, by distinguishing them from the problematic elements in the document and neutralising the threat to the faith posed by them”.
For instance, the letter asks for a clarification on a passage saying that someone in an “irregular’’ situation might “be in a concrete situation which does not allow him or her to act differently and decide otherwise without further sin”.
The signatories say a heretical reading would be “that a person with full knowledge of a divine law can sin by choosing to obey that law”.
Among the British signatories of the letter are Dr Joseph Shaw, a member of the philosophy faculty at the University of Oxford, Fr Ray Blake, Fr Thomas Crean OP, Fr Neil Ferguson OP, Dr Alan Fimister, Fr Simon Henry, Dr Anthony McCarthy, Fr Stephen Morgan and Fr John Osman. There are also two Ordinariate priests, Fr John Hunwicke and Fr David Palmer.
One of the signatories, Dr Alan Fimister, who teaches at St John Vianney Seminary in Colorado, said: “I am constantly approached by people citing this or that passage of Amoris Laetitia and asking how it could be reconciled with the faith as they have received it.” He said a clarification was necessary to show what was and was not a legitimate interpretation. When asked to add his name to the signatories, he said, “I couldn’t see how in conscience I could refuse to sign.”
Priest does skydive to raise money and clear parish debt
A parish priest from Westminster has taken part in a skydive to raise money for his church.
Fr Joe Ryan, from St John Vianney in West Green, north London, did the skydive earlier this month.
“It was a little bit frightening but a fascinating experience,” he said. “They were very
security conscious and very reassuring, explaining everything carefully.
“Once the parachute opened we just floated and we could see the beautiful landscapes below. The chute was quite easy to control – almost like a steering wheel. You could land on a postage stamp – and we did land very gently – like a swan.” He originally planned to do the skydive at the beginning of June but it was too windy. Returning a fortnight later, he discovered he was too heavy, so went on a diet and lost 16 pounds.
Fr Joe, who has been a priest for nearly 45 years, has raised more than £4,000 already. The funds will go to clearing the parish debt, paying for a new boiler and sound system for the church and to Westminster Justice and Peace, of which he is chairman.
Donations can be made at campaign.justgiving.com/charity/rcdiocesewestminster/frjoeskydive.
Hairy Biker at Clifton cathedral
One of television’s Hairy Bikers has filmed the latest episode of their new series at Clifton Cathedral.
Dave Myers became an unlikely celebrity with his co-presenter Si King in the cookery show The Hairy Bikers.
In The Hairy Builder, he works as an apprentice, unlocking the historical secrets contained in some of Britain’s oldest, most prestigious and architecturally complex large buildings.
Clifton Cathedral features in episode four of the series.
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