Pope welcomes all; mercy cannot wait, says prelate

Pope Francis. AP FILE PHOTO

THERE is no change in Catholic doctrine in Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Amori Laetitia” or “The Joy of Love” except that it welcomes people in difficult situations such as single parents, gay people and unmarried straight couples who are living together, according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

In a statement Sunday, CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that after collective discernment, Filipino bishops will come up with more concrete guidelines on the implementation of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation.

“But mercy cannot wait. Mercy should not wait. Even now, bishops and priests must open welcoming arms to those who have kept themselves out of the Church because of a sense of guilt or of shame. The laity must do no less,” Villegas said.

He underscored that in issuing the document following the 14th Ordinary Synod on the Family in 2015, the Pope was not in any way departing from the teachings of the Church.

“It is certainly wrong to maintain the position that Catholic teaching in this respect has changed… It is in the treatment of persons that the Pope wishes to see significant change,” said Villegas.

“Above all he wants the Church to be the universal sign of mercy: Mercy that does not overlook sin, but that looks lovingly on the sinner and prays for him, aids him, embraces him that he may abandon sin and receive wholeheartedly the grace that is constantly offered him,” he said.

“When the Pope therefore asks for more hospitality, welcome, friendship, even communion and solidarity with divorced and separated couples, with persons in irregular unions, he is by no means condoning whatever may be wrong or worse, sinful,” he said.

The senior prelate said Pope Francis was exhorting both the clergy and the faithful to “be like the merciful Redeemer” who tells all sinners: “Neither do I condemn you.”

Villegas explained that he issued the letter Sunday to provide the faithful with the “proper context” within which it should be received in faith and in joy.

In the much-awaited document, Francis admits that the Church has made mistakes in alienating families.

Villegas said this means that parishes and dioceses should be “schools of true Christian love” and that the faithful must also welcome brothers and sisters who “stand timidly at the doors of our churches” due to broken relations and families.