The operative word in Cardinal Muller’s interview is discussion, i.e. a friendly interchange between two individuals or groups. The cardinals have indeed spoken freely and have been vilified for it, but to date no discussion has taken place between them and the Pope.
I do not think Cardinal Muller is vilifying anyone. I would call his words more discussion than speaking, as they are a response to other things said.
No, of course not, Cardinal Muller hasn’t villified them, but others have. The Cardinals have just sought an audience with the Pope, i.e. a private discussion. They want Pope Francis to clarify AL in a sense that does not conflict with perennial Catholic teaching - as Pope he cannot clarify it against Catholic teaching - and in a fashion that is public and official. They have a perfect right to ask for this.
Yes, but a right to ask does not equate to an obligation for the Pope to answer in the same format, or to open the floor, so to speak to discussion. That already happened.
The Cardinal stated:
The problem, if there is any, is certainly not the Pope’s.
On the contrary. AL has, in the minds of many prelates, overturned some fundamental principles of Catholic morality, namely that living in a sexually active cohabitation is gravely sinful and that one cannot receive Communion in mortal sin.
Agreed, wonderful to see that there are still intelligent people here.
You are confused, “gravely sinful” does not necessarily mean being in personal mortal sin as you give every appearance of believing.
What do you mean by “active”?
They may well be. Certainly. How does the accompanying priest assess that? What is the threshold for reception of the sacraments, given the objective situation? It would be great if any priests on the forum could share their understanding.
The conversation needs to be had.
Have you actually read AL right through or gone through any of the half dozen threads with AL in the title where these terms are used all the time without having to re explain again and again to newbies.
I envisaged communion in private actually. So no scandal involved.
That is your opinion. The Holy Father has a different one. More to the point, he understands the word “duty”. His duty is to God. So unless one is God, there is no knowledge, authority or criteria to just the “duty” of the Pope, at least that is my opinion.
I do not know what this means. You do know that the Pope called two family synods just for the purpose of discussion, do you not? How can it be denied that he has invited discussion?
It would seem that what emerged via AL caught many by surprise, and leaves many bewildered. And I’m not referring to the laity. It could be that the discussion to which you refer was inadequate.