Cardinals gather in Rome as debates on church reform heat up

[hrmjustin]

David Gibson

VATICAN CITY (RNS) High-level debates over Catholic teachings on marriage and divorce and other hot-button issues heated up on Wednesday (Feb. 19) as a highly anticipated effort to overhaul the Vatican bureaucracy slogged through the devilish details of financial reform.

The multitrack talks launched months ago by Pope Francis ramped up this week as some 185 cardinals converged on Rome to watch the pontiff add 19 new members to their select ranks this weekend, part of what some called “the most critical week” of Francis’ year-old papacy.

Anticipation is mounting for a series of closed-door discussions on Thursday and Friday, when the cardinals will hold what are expected to be frank talks about issues such as contraception, cohabitation, gay marriage and whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive Communion.

“On way to Rome & some very interesting, perhaps challenging meetings,” South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier tweeted early Wednesday
http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/19/cardinals-gather-rome-debates-church-reform-heat/

[cbayer]

1. This is going to be interesting to follow.

I wonder when they will issue a report.

[hrmjustin]

2. Well my guess they will want some time to prepare for any changes.

But if they make big changes it will leak out.

[cbayer]

3. I don't know. They can be very secretive when they choose to be.

[hrmjustin]

4. The pope migyt be the one to leak it to the press.

Can you imagine being a journalist having the pope as a source! Would be a huge scoop.

[cbayer]

6. Lol! I wouldn't put it past him.

[rug]

5. There are going to be a lot of hot potatoes thrown around.

http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350711?eng=y

[hrmjustin]

7. I hope they go ahead on reforms.

[cbayer]

8. Aren't there lots of ways around the second marriage issue?

At least in the US?

[rug]

9. Not legitimately.

The basic premise is that a marriage, entered into voluntarily, knowingly, and without impediment, is binding.

The annulment process often becomes a process of scrutiny looking for some way to invalidate it. It's become very legalistic. The closest I've seen is scouring evidence looking for a way out for a guilty defendant.

If they honestly reassess what makes a marriage there will be enormous changes.

[cbayer]

10. Thanks for the info.

It's interesting to me that I know more long-time married people from New Orleans than from pretty much anywhere else. It may not be significantly different, but it sure seems so, particularly within the catholic community.

[pinto]

13. My father had an earlier marriage before he and my mother got together and married.

They secured an annulment of the first marriage. I don't know the specifics. It was during WWII, though. My dad was in the service, so that may have played into it.

Though they eventually split up, my mother held to the standard and never pursued divorce action. When he died my mother requested pretty clearly that I and my siblings go back to Texas for his funeral. She couldn't go but said "I lost my husband, you lost your father. You need to be there."

Agree, if they honestly reassess what makes a marriage there will be enormous changes.

[rug]

14. Your mother is a stalwart.

God bless her.

[pinto]

11. Would love to be the "fly on the wall" for these discussions.

[hrmjustin]

12. I would as well.