Where Do You Stand With the Church?: The Dilemma of Divorced Catholics : (With Chapters on Annulments, Conscience, and the Internal Forum)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Pastoral Guide for Laypeople & Clergy
Review: As a former advocate procurator for a Tribunal, I longed for a concise pastoral guide for the divorced and remarried Catholic, particularly with regards to the reception of the Eucharist. This is that book. Clearly and simply written, it gives a pastoral approach to the problem of reception of the Eucharist by the remarried Catholic. Following the advice will not be easy, particularly for those who feel their individual conscience must bow to external forums. Yet it relies upon Canon Law and the 1994-97 Catholic Catechism to bring hope and joy to the remarried. Unlike the vicious diatribes of Vasoli and Kennedy who seek to wreck demonical vengance upon their nullity seeking spouses, this guide uses the examples of the Samaritan woman and the Chicago "marriage in possession" practices to guide the "internal forum" solution. Thus, in good conscience, a divorced and remarried Catholic can receive Communion, be a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, even when the Tribunal has said that the evidence for the "external forum" is insufficient. A must read for remarried Catholics, their pastors, and their bishops. AMDG

Rating:
Summary: A Definitive guide for divorced and remarried Catholics
Review: As a former advocate procurator for a Tribunal, I longed for a concise pastoral guide for the divorced and remarried Catholic, particularly with regards to the reception of the Eucharist. This is that book. Clearly and simply written, it gives a pastoral approach to the problem of reception of the Eucharist by the remarried Catholic. Following the advice will not be easy, particularly for those who feel their individual conscience must bow to external forums. Yet it relies upon Canon Law and the 1994-97 Catholic Catechism to bring hope and joy to the remarried. Unlike the vicious diatribes of Vasoli and Kennedy who seek to wreck demonical vengance upon their nullity seeking spouses, this guide uses the examples of the Samaritan woman and the Chicago "marriage in possession" practices to guide the "internal forum" solution. Thus, in good conscience, a divorced and remarried Catholic can receive Communion, be a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, even when the Tribunal has said that the evidence for the "external forum" is insufficient. A must read for remarried Catholics, their pastors, and their bishops. AMDG

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Pastoral Guide for Laypeople & Clergy
Review: This is an excellent, pastoral and sensitive work that has given much hope to people searching for a solution to their individual marriage cases. Father Catoir is known for his sensitivity and gentleness and it is very evident in this book. Yet, it is also done in a professional, canonical and informed manner.

I have given this book to many people in my parish who are in situations in which they were turned down by the local Tribunal and felt that since they have remarried, their life in the Church was "over."

This book has brought them much hope, relief and guidance.

I highly recommend this to any Catholic who works with people who are divorced and either have or have not approached the Tribunal with their cases.