杏MAP导航

Vatican News

Single mothers must not be prevented but encouraged to approach the Sacraments, writes the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in response to a question from Bishop Ramón Alfredo de la Cruz Baldera of San Francisco de Macorís, in the Dominican Republic.

Letter approved by the 杏MAP导航

In the , approved on Wednesday by 杏MAP导航 Francis and published today on the Dicastery鈥檚 website, Cardinal Victor Fernandez responds to the Dominican bishop鈥檚 concern that some single mothers 鈥渁bstain from Communion out of fear of the rigorism of the clergy and community leaders.鈥� The prefect notes that 鈥渋n some countries, both priests and some lay people prevent mothers who have had a child outside of marriage from accessing the sacraments and even baptizing their children.鈥�

The Eucharist, God鈥檚 answer to the hunger of the human heart

Recently, the Letter points out, 杏MAP导航 Francis himself has recalled that 鈥渢he Eucharist is God鈥檚 response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for authentic life, for in the Eucharist Christ himself is truly in our midst, to nourish, console and sustain us on our journey鈥� (Greeting of His Holiness 杏MAP导航 Francis to the Organizing Committee of the National Eucharistic Congress of the United States of America, 19 June 2023). This, the Dicastery says, is why 鈥渨omen who in such a situation have chosen for life and lead a very complex existence because of that choice, should be encouraged to access the saving and consoling power of the Sacraments.鈥�

The courage of single mothers

鈥淭he issue of single mothers and the difficulties that they and their children face in accessing the sacraments,鈥� the document notes, 鈥渨as already addressed by the Holy Father when he was the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires: 鈥楾here are priests who do not baptize the children of single mothers because [the children] were not conceived in the sanctity of marriage. They are the hypocrites of today. They have clericalized the Church. They turn God鈥檚 people away from salvation. And that poor girl who could have sent her child back to the sender but had the courage to bring him into the world goes on pilgrimage from parish to parish to have him baptized鈥� (Homily of September 2012).

The letter notes, too, that 杏MAP导航 Francis has recognized the courage of these women in carrying the pregnancy to term: 鈥淚 know that it is not easy to be a single mother. I know that people can sometimes look down on you. But I want to tell you something: you are a brave woman because you were able to bring these two daughters into the world. You could have killed them in your womb, yet you respected life: you respected the life you had inside you, and God will reward you for that, and he does reward you. Do not be ashamed; walk with your head held high: 鈥業 did not kill my daughters; I brought them into the world鈥�. I congratulate you; I congratulate you, and may God bless you鈥� (Video conference hosted by ABC, 11 September 2015).

Being a single mother does not prevent access to the Eucharist

鈥淚n this sense, pastoral work should be done in the local Church to make people understand that being a single mother does not prevent that person from accessing the Eucharist,鈥� the Letter explains, adding, 鈥淎s for all other Christians, sacramental confession of sins allows the person to approach communion. The ecclesial community should, furthermore, value the fact that single mothers welcomed and defended the gift of life they carried in their wombs and struggle, every day, to raise their children.鈥�

Indeed, the Letter observes, 鈥渢here are 鈥榙ifficult situations鈥� that need to be discerned and accompanied pastorally. It can occur that one of these mothers, given the fragility of her situation, sometimes resorts to selling her body to support her family. The Christian community is called to do everything possible to help her avoid this very serious risk rather than judge her harshly.鈥�

The logic of compassion

鈥淔or this reason,鈥� the Letter continues, 鈥溾�榯he Church鈥檚 pastors, in proposing to the faithful the full ideal of the Gospel and the Church鈥檚 teaching, must also help them to treat the weak with compassion, avoiding aggravation or unduly harsh or hasty judgements鈥欌�� (Amoris laetitia, 308).

Cardinal Fernandez then points out that often, commenting on the biblical episode of the adulterous woman (Jn 8:1-11), Jesus鈥� final words 鈥� 鈥淪in no more鈥� 鈥� are emphasized. 鈥淐ertainly,鈥� he writes in his Letter, 鈥淛esus always invites us to change our lives, to respond more faithfully to God鈥檚 will, and to live with greater dignity. However, this phrase does not constitute the central message of this Gospel pericope, which is simply the invitation to recognize that no one can cast the first stone.鈥�

For this reason, he writes, 鈥溞覯AP导航 Francis, referring to mothers who must raise their children alone, reminds us that 鈥榠n such difficult situations of need, the Church must be particularly concerned to offer understanding, comfort, and acceptance, rather than imposing straightaway a set of rules that only lead people to feel judged and abandoned by the very Mother called to show them God鈥檚 mercy鈥欌�� (AL, 49).

Chauvinistic and dictatorial attitudes

Finally, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recalls what the 杏MAP导航 said in his message to the Synod on the feminine and maternal face of the Church, when he denounced 鈥渃hauvinist and dictatorial attitudes鈥� of those ministers who 鈥渆xaggerate in their service and mistreat the people of God鈥� (Address to the Synod of Bishops, 25 October 2023).

鈥淚t is up to you,鈥� Cardinal Fernández concludes in his reply to the Bishop of San Francisco de Macorís, 鈥渢o ensure that such behaviour does not occur in your local Church.鈥�