A letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sheds light on Pope Francis’ position regarding the Eucharist in inter-communion marriages. The issue has been raised by the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference and regards an ecumenical theme that concerns the Universal Church. His Holiness Pope Francis has invited German bishops to await legislation that is applicable to the whole universal Church on the delicate question of allowing Protestants who are married to Catholics to receive Communion in Catholic Churches. The text highlights the need to carefully evaluate the repercussions and impact that any decision may have on the balances achieved in ecumenical dialogue.
A majority of German bishops this year voted to publish guidelines that would have made it easier for Protestants to receive the Eucharist at Mass in a Catholic Church and sometimes wine that have been consecrated. The prelates who had not expressed a favourable opinion during the plenary – and who had written their concerns in a letter to His Holiness Pope Francis, were invited to study the question directly with the leaders of the CDF and the Dicastery for Christian Unity and the legislative texts.
Pending further study, Pope Francis’ letter refers to the Diocesan Bishop the responsibility of deciding on a case to case basis.
