Cardinal: Ignorance about marriage is no reason to change doctrine

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Just because many Catholics do not understand the church’s teaching about the indissolubility of marriage, that does not mean the church can change that teaching, said Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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Speaking to reporters Feb. 25 – just days after the College of Cardinals held a two-day meeting to discuss the pastoral care of families – he said the widespread lack of understanding among Catholics about church doctrine was “lamentable.”
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However, just because people don’t understand Jesus’ word doesn’t mean it can or should be changed, he said. “It would be paradoxical if the church said, ‘Since not everyone knows the truth, the truth isn’t obligatory for the future.’”
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catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1400809.htm
 
The cardinal makes a valid point, but whose fault is it that the laity has such poor knowledge of doctrine? When was the last time any of you heard a homily centred on the readings, let alone how they tie in to church teaching. My present priest is superb, his homilies are easily understood explications of the readings which he links to how they should inform our daily behaviour and/or how they form the basis for church teaching.

Sadly for the previous twenty plus years, I have heard a litany of inane stories about people real or fictional, an overwhelming number of bad jokes, and more information about the priest’s mother, father, grandparents etc. than anyone needs to know. I admit that most times I would bring small devotional booklet to read during the homilies. Maybe the church needs to offer preaching 101 courses.🤷
 
I agree with what you quoted. Doctrine doesn’t change even if people don’t understand it. The lack of understanding that sacramental marriages cannot be dissolved does bring into light why so many annulments are granted. After all, if two people don’t know that they are committing themselves for life to each other when they marry, how can they really commit themselves to each other for life in a sacramental marriage? What a mess we’ve made of marriage in our times!
 
Are there that many people who are honestly ignorant about the church’s teaching on marriage? I can understand people not agreeing with the dogma, or in agreeing with it but finding themselves unable to live up to. But ignorant I find hard to believe Have they never cracked open a book?
 
Origen52 said:
The cardinal makes a valid point, but whose fault is it that the laity has such poor knowledge of doctrine? When was the last time any of you heard a homily centred on the readings, let alone how they tie in to church teaching. My present priest is superb, his homilies are easily understood explications of the readings which he links to how they should inform our daily behaviour and/or how they form the basis for church teaching.

Sadly for the previous twenty plus years, I have heard a litany of inane stories about people real or fictional, an overwhelming number of bad jokes, and more information about the priest’s mother, father, grandparents etc. than anyone needs to know. I admit that most times I would bring small devotional booklet to read during the homilies. Maybe the church needs to offer preaching 101 courses.🤷
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And those courses should start the first year in seminary. I realize that we are not there to be entertained but I am also not there to have my mind wander. We lose so many to the EV precisely because of truly lousy preaching and teaching!
 
Jeff, you obviously know more about the function of the homily than I do, as you are a deacon. But I fail to understand how bad jokes, pointless reminiscences and anecdotes help move the congregation from the readings to Eucharist.

The United States conference of catholic bishops has produced an interesting document titled, “Preaching the mystery of faith”. It is a fast easy read and gives an excellent explanation on what a homily should comprise.

“The message of the Gospel is truly a matter of “life and death” for us; there is nothing routine or trivial about it. If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel, which ultimately must focus on the person of Jesus and the dynamic power of his mission to the world.”

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/priesthood/priestly-life-and-ministry/upload/usccb-preaching-document.pdf

Sadly, “routine and trivial” are how I would have to describe many of the homilies I’ve sat through.
 
If it were me I would tell Cardinal Mueller to lighten up. He is German and also a German professor of theology. There is only true and false in his mentality. That’s all. But I’d say: my brother, the world is not like this, you should be a little more flexible so you don’t just listen and say, here is the wall. Yes, Jesus’ words on marriage are binding, but they can be interpreted as today there are many new situations of cohabitation and answers which can no longer be based on authoritarianism and moralism.
 
TheologicalLeft said:
If it were me I would tell Cardinal Mueller to lighten up. He is German and also a German professor of theology. There is only true and false in his mentality. That’s all. But I’d say: my brother, the world is not like this, you should be a little more flexible so you don’t just listen and say, here is the wall. Yes, Jesus’ words on marriage are binding, but they can be interpreted as today there are many new situations of cohabitation and answers which can no longer be based on authoritarianism and moralism.
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As Card. Muller said, “this is not about (his) opinion”, it is about “the word of Jesus Christ, which is very clear”.
 
You all realize TheologicalLeft is just quoting Abp. Maradiaga (I think), right?
 
gardenswithkids said:
I agree with what you quoted. Doctrine doesn’t change even if people don’t understand it. The lack of understanding that sacramental marriages cannot be dissolved does bring into light why so many annulments are granted. After all, if two people don’t know that they are committing themselves for life to each other when they marry, how can they really commit themselves to each other for life in a sacramental marriage? What a mess we’ve made of marriage in our times!
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It’s not about sacramental marriage. All sacramental marriage is a marriage between two Christians. Natural marriages where both parties are not Christian are also presumed to be valid unless otherwise decided by the marriage tribunal.
 
That’s great, but this catechesis needs to be done BEFORE the engagement ring is purchased!
 
Origen52 said:
Jeff, you obviously know more about the function of the homily than I do, as you are a deacon. But I fail to understand how bad jokes, pointless reminiscences and anecdotes help move the congregation from the readings to Eucharist.
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Very good point and I might add, I fail to see how a geography lesson (some priests are widely traveled) or Church history lesson (much of what we get today) can move my soul to a greater devotion.
 
I wonder, will the academics help or is preaching a gift of the Holy Spirit which naturally flows from truly *spiritual *priests who plant their feet firmly on the pathway to holiness? After all, we’ve had undereducated priests who have attracted and converted hundreds of souls (St. John Vianney comes to mind.)
 
Pastoral attention to Catholics cannot go against doctrine, the cardinal told journalists Feb. 25.
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Now here’s a quotable quote to go in the annals of great thoughts!
 
Tigg said:
Very good point and I might add, I fail to see how a geography lesson (some priests are widely traveled) or Church history lesson (much of what we get today) can move my soul to a greater devotion.
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Learning about the beloved and what He loves moves my heart to greater devotion. That can certainly occur in an academic setting. It’s not the only way, obviously.
 
TheologicalLeft said:
If it were me I would tell Cardinal Mueller to lighten up. He is German and also a German professor of theology. There is only true and false in his mentality. That’s all. But I’d say: my brother, the world is not like this, you should be a little more flexible so you don’t just listen and say, here is the wall. Yes, Jesus’ words on marriage are binding, but they can be interpreted as today there are many new situations of cohabitation and answers which can no longer be based on authoritarianism and moralism.
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That is about as bigoted as they come. Being German has nothing to do with it.
 
TheologicalLeft said:
If it were me I would tell Cardinal Mueller to lighten up. He is German and also a German professor of theology. There is only true and false in his mentality. That’s all. But I’d say: my brother, the world is not like this, you should be a little more flexible so you don’t just listen and say, here is the wall. Yes, Jesus’ words on marriage are binding, but they can be interpreted as today there are many new situations of cohabitation and answers which can no longer be based on authoritarianism and moralism.
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There’s also only true and false in reality.
 
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