Peter, strengthen the brethren.

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(B)ut I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail;
and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren
—St. Luke 22:32

In light of Holy Scripture, consider the Catholic World News report.

May 04, 2018

Pope Francis has declined to rule on the validity of a policy approved by the German bishops’ conference, which would allow non-Catholic spouses of Catholics to receive Communion.

The policy was approved by a majority of the German bishops, but a substantial minority objected, and seven German bishops wrote to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) asking for clarification on whether the policy was in line with Church teaching.

At a May 3 meeting at the Vatican, Archbishop Luis Ladaria, the prefect of the CDF, told a delegation of the German hierarchy that the Holy Father wished them to continue discussion of the issue among themselves, hoping for “a possibly unanimous arrangement.”

During their visit to Rome, the German bishops spoke with officials of the CDF, the Congregation for Bishops, and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. The Vatican announced after the meeting that Archbishop Ladaria would report to Pope Francis, giving him a summary of the conversations.

In April, a widely circulated report indicated that the CDF had ruled against the German bishops’ proposed policy. The German bishops’ conference denied the accuracy of that report.

Recall the passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke cited above. Peter is tasked by our Lord Jesus Christ to confirm the brethren in the Faith. And, what if it appears that Peter has shirked that responsibility? Appearances, as the saying goes, can be deceiving. Perhaps Peter, aka Pope Francis, is first using a feather to motivate the brethren to uphold the Faith.

Thanks be to God for that "substantial minority" of the German Bishops which has upheld the Catholic and Apostolic Faith. Let's hope, for the sake of the salvation of souls, that all the German bishops come to their senses, and that their actions won't require a hammer blow from Rome. Barring consensus in the truth, Peter must then do what is required of him to bring to heel any and all wayward clergy.

Confident in the promise our Lord gave to St Peter, found in the Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 16, verses 13 to 20, pray that the German bishops may give faithful witness to the Church's teaching on Holy Communion.

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

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