There is a principle in theology – which applies to other sciences as well – that we interpret the less authoritative, the less precise and the less clear, in light of what is more authoritative, the more precise, and what is more clearly stated. Humanae Vitae trumps the Winnipeg Statement of the Canadian episcopacy, any day of the conjugal week, and the precise proscriptions of John Paul II’s 1981 Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio are the key to interpreting whatever is vaguely meant by ‘accompaniment’ in Chapter 8 of Amoris Laetitia.
It is in this light that we should read Pope Francis’ words of late. He says much that is good, pious and orthodox, but, alas, then he drops some theological grenades. As with all of his more controversial statements, there is truth in them, but also aspects, ambiguities and asservations that don’t seem to jibe with what we may consider orthodox. I’m striving to be subtle here. If you are up for it, here is my attempt to clarify his words, and we may leave whatever Francis himself intends by them, between himself and God.
So here goes with what my rather simple, linear mind might offer on the three topic the Pope has chosen to lend his words in the last month of 2019: