An article by Louise Mensch in The Spectator recently is beginning to get some attention. Indeed, it is worthy of attention in the context of the Synod of Bishops now underway in Rome. Louise Mensch is Catholic and a former member of the UK Parliament. Her article was remarkably timely, and really rather brave. She is upfront about her status vis-à-vis the Church that has arisen because of her civil divorce and remarriage.
Yet she is adamant that the Church’s teaching and practice cannot be changed to make her feel better. She goes to Mass but does not approach the altar save for a blessing. She clearly believes in the importance and integrity of the Eucharist. She does not support those who would change Church practice (and thereby its teaching as well) to suit her.
She makes some interesting suggestions, authentically pastoral ones, that deserve attention and a fulsome answer. Hopefully some bishops are listening to this particular voice from among the faithful. We should pray that the day will come when she can licitly receive Communion. Her solidarity deserves a similar response from us.
The end of the article is fascinating. It recounts the one time she did partake of the Eucharist after her remarriage. On that occasion, she actually did a good thing. Do read it.
Here is a woman who “gets it” and humbles my heart in the process.
thank you for sharing the article Father–
prayers for your continued healing—a big hug–Julie
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This article should be required reading for all participants in the synod, not least Pope Francis. Much of what is filtering down from Rome is worrying in tone and implication. It is to me incredible that cardinals could be so deluded as to think that easier access to holy communion equates to a greater expression of God’s mercy. It just shows that the Church cannot hope to remain easily immune from the widespread commercial culture of our age.
“I want it; give it to me – now – as cheaply and easily as possible.”
Did Christ die for this?
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A rhetorical question, that sadly needs us to answer it anyway: no!
Commercialism, pragmatism, desacralization, the temporal triumphing over the eternal: the marks of the 21st century. They are not meant to be the four marks of the Church.
Louise Mensch, in this particular context, is a “sinner”. Let’s hope those cardinals, and the Holy Father, who want to hear from the poor and sinners, to learn from them – let’s hope they listen to Louise, and not just the poor and the sinners who suit them best.
And I have no doubt such fidelity to truth will be her powerful advocate on the last day.
Pax.
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