Given the Catholic Church’s complex history concerning divorce and remarriage, it’s not surprising that the promulgation of Amoris Laetitia in 2016 caused such a stir among the laity, the press, some theologians, and even some bishops.
This book endeavors to introduce concepts and contexts for understanding the document in a new light, explain what the rule of law actually means, and hopefully open a door to further discussion among theologians and clergy whose critical comments have so often missed the point of Francis’s apostolic exhortation.
By:
Gerald J. Bednar
Imprint: Liturgical Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 13mm
Weight: 255g
ISBN: 9780814666555
ISBN 10: 0814666558
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 15 August 2021
Recommended Age: From 22 to 90 years
Audience:
General/trade
,
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
ELT Advanced
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Contents Preface ix Introduction xv Chapter One: Amoris Laetitia: What It Does and Does Not Say 1 1. The Non-Controversial Chapters 2 2. The Controversial Chapter 8, “Accompanying, Discerning and Integrating Weakness” 9 A. The Text 10 B. Some Implications 17 Chapter Two: The Rule of Law, Not the Law of Rules: A Gospel Perspective 21 1. The Rule of Law versus the Law of Rules 21 2. Law as Alive in the Scriptures 24 3. The Advice of the Gospels 28 A. Not “Justice” but Mercy 28 B. Not “Fairness” but Generosity 30 4. The Flexibility of Mercy and Generosity 32 5. Aquinas on Law and Rules 34 Chapter Three: Mercy and Chapter 8 41 1. The Unity of Mercy and Law 42 2. A Pagan Sensibility 44 3. The Pastoral Application of Mercy and Law 46 4. The “Brother-Sister” Relationship 48 5. What Cases Are Affected? 51 6. The Language of Indissolubility 52 7. Mercy and the Tolerance of Lesser Evils 54 8. Marital Bonds 57 9. The Comforts of Clarity: The Grand Inquisitor 62 Chapter Four: Entering the Field Hospital 67 1. A Viable Family in an Invalid Marriage 73 2. A Miserable Life After Divorce: The Fort Sheridan Case 75 3. A “Brother-Sister” Relationship Leading to Divorce 76 4. A Declaration of Annulment Denied 77 5. A Good Life After Divorce? 79 6. The Bestowal of Mercy 81 Chapter Five: Scripture and History 85 1. Early Scriptural Surprises and Later Developments 85 2. Dilemmas, Ambiguity, and History 95 Chapter Six: Other Viewpoints 113 1. The Dubia 114 A. Intrinsic Evil and Exceptions 116 B. Circumstances and Intentions in Intrinsically Evil Acts 119 C. Obstinate Persistence in Grave Sin 122 D. Conscience 123 2. An Ahistorical Analysis 125 A. Method 125 B. The Law of Rules 128 C. Dilemmas 131 D. Adapting the Moral Law 137 3. A Study of Indissolubility 138 A. History 139 B. “Absolute Indissolubility” 140 C. Mercy as License 143 D. Avoiding a Greater Evil 144 E. False Piety 147 4. Thomistic Perspectives 150 5. Slippery Slopes? 154 6. Mercy as Weakness? 158 Chapter Seven: Penance and Communion 161 1. The Possibility of Absolution When a Firm Purpose of Amendment Cannot Be Made 161 2. The Possibility of Communion for Contrite Serious Sinners 167 A. Scriptural Considerations 168 B. The Early Tradition 172 C. The Contemporary Situation 183 D. Productive Discomfort 195 Conclusion 197 A Postscript 203 Index 205
Gerald J. Bednarholds a doctorate in systematic theology from Fordham University (1990), a master’s degree in government from Georgetown University (1971), and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame (1974). After having practiced law in Washington, DC, for five years, he entered Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland, where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1983. Fr. Bednar taught at Saint Mary Seminary for thirty years before his retirement in 2021.
Reviews for Mercy and the Rule of Law: A Theological Interpretation of Amoris Laetitia
Gerald J. Bednar, Catholic priest, experienced attorney, theologian and pastor, has provided a much-needed study of Amoris Laetitia. 'Mercy is not an alternative to the law. It is a way of applying the law.' Bednar has provided a rich resource for all who seek to understand and to live Jesus' words: 'I have come to call not the righteous but sinners' (Mark 2:17), in the light of the magisterium of Pope Francis. --Francis J. Moloney, SDB Senior Professorial Fellow; Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity; Melbourne Australia
