Responding to a question from a bishop from the Dominican Republic who highlights that some single mothers give up communion for fear of the strictness of the clergy, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, together with Pope Francis, reminds that women in such a situation do not go to communion Since they are already in a difficult situation because they have chosen life, they must be helped to access the saving power of the sacraments
News from the Vatican
Single mothers who have chosen to keep their children outside of marriage should not be prevented from receiving the sacraments, but encouraged. This is what the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith explains in response to a question from Dom Ramón Alfredo de la Cruz Baldera, Bishop of San Francisco de Macorís in the Dominican Republic.
Letter approved by the Pope
In a letter signed by Cardinal Mayor Victor Manuel Fernández, approved by Pope Francis on Wednesday, December 13 and published this Thursday on the website of the Dicastery, it seeks to respond to the concerns of the Dominican bishop about the behavior of some single young women: “Resign to communion for fear of the severity of clergy and community leaders.” It is noted that “in some countries, both priests and some lay people actually deny access to the sacraments and even the baptism of mothers who have had a child out of wedlock Children are denied.”
Eucharist, God's answer to the hunger of the human heart
Recently the letter emphasizes Pope Francis recalled that “the Eucharist is God's answer to the deepest hunger of the human heart, to the hunger for true life: in it Christ himself is truly in our midst to nourish us “Path” (Address to the Organizing Committee of the US National Eucharistic Congress, June 19, 2023). Therefore, “women in such a situation, who have chosen life and are living very complex lives because of that decision, must be encouraged to have access to the saving and consoling power of the sacraments.”
The courage of single mothers
The Holy Father had already denounced the special case of single mothers and the difficulties they or their children encounter in accessing the sacraments as Cardinal of Buenos Aires, the text says: “There are priests who do not baptize their children. “Unmarried young women because they were not conceived in the sanctity of marriage.” These are the hypocrites of today. Those who clericalized the church. Those who keep God's people from salvation. And this poor young woman, to whom she could have sent her son back, but who had the courage to give birth to him, goes from parish to parish to baptize him” (September 2012 sermon).
Pope Francis please note praised the courage of these women to continue their pregnancy: “I know that it is not easy to be a single mother, I know that sometimes you are looked at badly, but one thing I tell you: you are a brave woman because you were able to give birth to these two daughters. You could have killed them while they were still in your womb, but you respected life, you respected the life you had inside you, and God will reward you. For that, He is the reward. Don't be ashamed, walk with your head held high. “I didn’t kill my daughters, I gave birth to them!” I congratulate you and God bless you” (transmission of the video conference). by BBC, September 4, 2015).
Being a single mother does not preclude access to the Eucharist
In this sense, the letter signed by Cardinal Fernández continues, “it is necessary to work pastorally in the local Church to make it clear that being a single mother does not prevent access to the Eucharist. Like all other Christians, to the sacramental.” Confessing the sins they have committed makes it possible to bring them closer to communion. The ecclesial community must also recognize the fact that these are women who have accepted and defended the gift of life that they carried in their womb and who struggle every day to raise their children.”
Certainly, it is observed, “there are difficult situations that need to be recognized and pastorally supported. It may happen that, given the fragility of their situation, some of these mothers sometimes resort to selling their own bodies to support the family.” The Christian The community is called to do everything in its power to help them, to avoid this very serious risk rather than judge them harshly.”
The logic of compassion
Therefore, the letter says: “The pastors who bring to believers the full ideal of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church must also help them to adopt the logic of compassion towards weak people and to avoid persecution or too harsh judgments.” impatient” (Amoris laetitia, 308).
Next, the cardinal emphasizes that when commenting on the biblical episode of the adulteress (John 8:111), the last sentence is often emphasized: “Sin no more.” Certainly: “Jesus always invites people to live their lives change, to respond more faithfully to the will of God and to live with greater dignity.” However, this sentence does not represent the central message of this evangelical pericope, but merely the call to recognize the no, you can cast the first stone.” For this reason, He adds, “Concerning mothers who have to raise their children alone, Pope Francis reminds that “in the difficult situations in which the most needy find themselves, the Church must pay particular attention to understanding, consoling and… “It avoids imposing a series of rules on them, as if they were stones, which makes them feel judged and abandoned by the very mother who is called to bring them God's mercy” (Amoris laetitia , 49).
Sexist and dictatorial attitudes
The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recalls what the Pope said in his message to the Synod about the feminine and maternal face of the Church, denouncing the “macho and dictatorial attitude” of those clergy who “exaggerate and mistreat their ministry”. the people of God” (Address to the Synod of Bishops, October 25, 2023).
“It is up to you,” concludes Cardinal Fernández in his response to the Bishop of San Francisco de Macorís, “to ensure that such behavior does not occur in your local Church.”