To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth – that is not living, but existing.
No one is forced to be a Christian. But no one should be forced to live according to the "new religion" as though it alone were definitive and obligatory for all mankind.
Assuredly, the word of truth can be painful and uncomfortable. But it is the way to holiness, to peace, and to inner freedom. A pastoral approach which truly wants to help the people concerned must always be grounded in the truth. In the end, only the truth can be pastoral.
One can readily admit that the Magisterium's manner of expression does not seem very easy to understand at times. It needs to be translated by preachers and catechists into a language which relates to people and to their respective cultural environments. The essential content of the Church's teaching, however, must be upheld in this process. It must not be watered down on allegedly pastoral grounds, because it communicates the revealed truth.
The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life."
It seems that Pope Francis has now officially joined the ranks of heretics: It might be worth reminding people in case we have one of those "the Pope has not said anything heretical" types. The sad bit though is that he has said many heretical things before, but nowadays seems to have lost the shame of at least doing it in a round-about way.
Canonist Edward Peters attacks the imprecision of the piece Divorced and Remarried are Called to Heroism - to which I had linked yesterday. The criticism sis well-worth reading.
Distinctions Matter
Distinctions Matter Forward
Missale Romanum
Pre-1951 Calendar