NEW JERSEY
The Record
BY JAMES GOODNESS
THE RECORD
THE RECORD’S coverage during the week of Oct. 12 about principles that Archbishop John J. Myers had shared with the priests of the archdiocese to help them deal with people in different situations regarding married life and maintain church teaching is misdirecting people from the truth of the document.
It is important to put the document and the coverage into perspective.
The document, “Principles to Aid in Preserving and Protecting the Catholic Faith in the Midst of an Increasingly Secular Culture,” very clearly says that these are principles. They are not “rules” or “particular law” being set down. In his role as primary teacher of the faith in this archdiocese, it is appropriate and central to Archbishop Myers’ ministry to give advice and direction to priests and others involved in parish ministry as they deal directly with people facing some of the challenges about married life and living according to the faith. It is also important to make sure that this is done in line with the laws and teaching of the church.
In particular, the principles call on priests to walk with the people as they journey through their situations, and to cherish and welcome them to participate in the life of the church to the extent they can.
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