Catholic gay couples, divorced Catholics must avoid sex, says archbishop

By Rob Howard
Associate Editor

Catholics remarried after a divorce drew hope from Pope Francis’ landmark statement in April in which he called for the church to show greater acceptance for divorced people and those in same-sex relationships while adhering to traditional church teachings.

“Adhering to traditional church teachings” was seen as a way to give Bishops and Archbishops who are more conservative room to explain church teachings in a more traditional way, while giving more liberal ones the ability to show greater acceptance.

That exception apparently appealed to Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, considered one of the most staunchly conservative leaders in the US Catholic hierarchy. Chaput has released a new set of pastoral guideline for clergy and other leaders in the archdiocese.

The guidelines say, “divorced and remarried parishioners should abstain from sex and live ‘like brother and sister’ if they want to receive Holy Communion and haven't had their previous marriage annulled,” according to the Associated Press. In addition, those in same-sex relationships should avoid sexual intimacy.

“The guidelines say Catholics in same-sex partnerships, civilly remarried parishioners and unmarried couples living together should not be permitted to serve on parish councils, instruct the faithful, serve as lectors or dispense Communion.”

The Guardian wrote, “The guidelines, which took effect on 1 July, come three months after Pope Francis urged bishops to be more accepting of Catholics who lived outside of the church’s social teaching and doctrine, including people who have divorced and remarried, and people in same-sex relationships. The pope’s views were published in April in a document titled Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love), which was hailed as potentially groundbreaking. Because the document called on bishops to show greater mercy and flexibility to bring Catholics back to the church, while also calling on bishops not to veer from church doctrine, it was seen as giving both traditional and more progressively minded bishops the chance to interpret the document as they saw fit.”

“John Allen, a veteran Vatican journalist, said he believed Philadelphia was among the first archdiocese to publish such rules based on its interpretation of Amoris Laetitia.

“’My suspicion is that those who are inclined to a more progressive reading [of Amoris Laetitia] are not going to put out documents to say so. It will quietly be made clear to priests that it is OK under certain circumstances, for example, to allow some people to quietly come back to communion,’ Allen said. ‘My suspicion is that the more traditional line [adopted by some bishops] will be more public.’”

The Guardian continued, “In its examination of homosexuality, the Philadelphia guidelines state that two people in an 'active, public same-sex relationship, no matter how sincere, offer a serious counter-witness to Catholic belief, which can only produce moral confusion in the community.'

“’Those with predominant same-sex attractions are therefore called to struggle to live chastely for the kingdom of God. In this endeavor they have need of support, friendship and understanding if they fail,’ the rules state.

“But the greatest attention in the guidelines is focused on couples who are divorced and civilly remarried who have not obtained an annulment of their first marriage.

“While divorced and remarried couples should be welcomed by the Catholic community, and not be seen as outside the church, the archdiocese said they are required by church teaching to refrain from all sexual intimacy.”

Archbishop Chaput in April issued a statement on Amoris Laetitia, in which he promised his “own more developed thoughts will be forthcoming.” Apparently, the guidelines issued are his “more developed thoughts” on the matter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – July 6, 2016 @ 1 p.m.