"Some within the Church are discussing the indissolubility of marriage; others, while not questioning it, nevertheless say that indissoluble marriage, understood as an ideal, is compatible with the second common law marriage, and therefore they admit these individuals to receive Holy Communion. They do not justify this, but only present it as a practical requirement in response to a widespread sociological situation, without motivating it theologically."
These are some of the words spoken by Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Family, in a television interview with Father Santiago Martin, founder of the Franciscans of Mary. The interview, entirely focused on the issues raised by the Cardinal in his latest book "The Marriage Crisis and the Eucharist," touched on some of the most complex issues that next October's Synod on the Family will face: remarried divorcees, cohabitation, spiritual direction, sexuality, the doctrine, divine mercy, and the graduality of conversion.
