The issue in the discussion about Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics (“Till misunderstanding do us part”, 4 October) is not so much about what is marriage as what is the nature and purpose of the Eucharist. We forever get bogged down in the issue of worthiness. None are worthy. All have sinned and are in sin. It is precisely because of this that we need the Eucharist. It is not a reward, as Pope Francis has reminded us. As to whether or not anyone should be able to receive the Eucharist, it should be left to them and their conscience. When I was a priest (I have since left and married) a common situation was a family where one of the partners was a Christian but not a Catholic. The whole family was present at Mass, but felt divided by the non-Catholic party not bei
23 October 2014, The Tablet
Marriage and divorce
Get Instant Access
Continue Reading
Register for free to read this article in full
Subscribe for unlimited access
From just £30 quarterly
Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
The full weekly edition in print and digital including our 179 years archive.
PDF version to view on iPad, iPhone or computer.
Already a subscriber? Login