Minnesota Catholics react to pope's document on family issues

Chris Codden spent Friday poring over Pope Francis' 256-page document on family issues, looking for insights to bring to her work as the director of marriage and family issues at the St. Cloud Diocese.

She appreciated the pope's insights into marriage preparation and marriage strengthening, and his strong advocacy for traditional marriage. But she also acknowledged that his message to show more compassion for divorced people and others in "irregular" living situations was something churches could learn from.

"He was challenging us to walk with people in a way that is probably more than this diocese has done in the past," Codden said.

Minnesota Catholics say that may be one of the biggest consequences of the pope's "exhortation" — namely the clear directive that religious leaders should better tie their "individual conscience" with Catholic doctrine when addressing the complexities of modern families.

Catholics who divorce but do not receive an annulment are barred from receiving sacraments under Catholic teachings. It's been a deep source of sadness, and anger, for many. The pope doesn't change those teachings, but he does open the door to priests who have been reluctant to exercise their own conscience in such situations.

"This is good news for priests who have advocated this approach," said the Rev. Tim Power, retired pastor of Pax Christi Church in Eden Prairie. "It will be more of a challenge for those who have followed the letter of the law," he said.

A shift toward a pastoral approach to tough marriage issues is likely to be welcomed by parishioners, he said. "It may encourage lay people who otherwise were reluctant to talk to their priests about some of these issues to step forward," Power said.

The pope made no changes to doctrines on contraceptive use, abortion or gay marriage.

That was disappointing to Michael Bayly, former coordinator for Catholics for Marriage Equality Minnesota. "I'm disappointed, but not surprised," he said. "Some people find it hopeful that this new pope has a different tone. But you're still giving the same negative message about gay people and relations."

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said in a prepared statement that the pope's message "reflects both the complexities of the pastoral situations we encounter in our society and the beauty and relevance of the church's tradition and teaching."

Hebda said he was confident it would provide "much-needed direction in our ministry."

Jean Hopfensperger • 612-673-4511