Problems With Canonical Form

Dr. Ed Peters lists 9 concerns about Canonical Form that I've never considered. As usual, he's probably correct that this is one area where we can legitimately reform the current practices surrounding the sacramentality of marriage.

The Right Reform

Fr. Peter Daly’s essay against the annulment process (and indeed, against the heart of Church teaching on the permanence of marriage) is mostly a repackaging of common historical errors, irrelevant platitudes, and bad theology.

Expect more of this as the Synod of Bishops on the Family gets closer.

Complaints about the juridic aspects of marriage and annulments are ultimately complaints about Christ's economy of salvation.

Exactly.

Divorce, Remarriage, Communion, and False Charity

Or if what will prevail instead will be the sentiment of mercy that is now found for the most part in public opinion but also among the hierarchy: that of a reckless go-ahead for individual initiative, with "ad libitum" access to communion and with the conscience of the individual being the only one to lay down he law.

If history has taught us one thing it's that conflicts in society have their mirror in the Church. One thing is certain, the Church will not adopt a worldly interpretation of marriage no matter how large or loud the temper tantrum.

Measuring History

But the lesson for us moderns is, I hope, clear: phrases plucked from ancient documents, phrases such as “second marriage”, do not necessarily carry the same connotations today that they enjoyed in times past. Caution in reading them, and in reaching conclusions of law based on them, is therefore strongly advised.

Apart from the topic of this article there is a greater lesson here. Before we commit to a controversial position we should follow the old advice of carpenters everywhere, viz., measure twice, cut once.

I'll try to remember this lesson myself.