New archbishop backs Kasper on remarried divorcees

The new Archbishop of Salzburg, Franz Lackner, told the Austrian daily Salzburger Nachrichten on Maundy Thursday that he “totally agreed” with Cardinal Walter Kasper that a way must be found for remarried divorcees to make a new start in the Church, writes Christa Pongratz-Lippitt.

Cardinal Kasper, one of the most prominent Catholic theologians whose book on mercy has been highly praised by Pope Francis, had tried to show a possible way forward for remarried divorcees in the Church in his address to the cardinals at the Consistory in February, Archbishop Lackner recalled. “I am wholly on Kasper’s side,” he said. “I think the chances of moving forward a step here are very good and am convinced that it would be a serious default of the Church’s mandate if we had no Gospel Message for these people.”

Speaking more personally, he said: “I have always found it deeply disturbing that the general opinion in the Church was that there was nothing one could do.” When he visited parishes he had often been asked to bring the subject up in Rome and had duly done so. “I have repeatedly said in Rome that I have never yet succeeded in explaining to remarried divorcees that they still belong to the Church but may only receive the Eucharist when in danger of death,” he said.

Cardinal Kasper said in his 22 February address that Catholic divorcees who remarry should, after a period of atonement, be allowed to seek readmittance to the sacraments.

Archbishop Lackner said the Church must strive to strengthen traditional families, but without marginalising irregular partnerships.