Pope Francis recently gave a general audience in which he discussed the situation of those who have divorced and remarried without an annulment.
His remarks are particularly significant in light of the upcoming Synod on the Family and the proposals to give Holy Communion to those in this situation.
They also attracted attention because he stressed that people in this situation are not excommunicated.
Here are 10 things to know and share . . .
1) Where did the pope make his remarks and where can I read them?
He made them at his Wednesday general audience on August 5, 2015. They are part of a series of catecheses he has been doing on the family.
You will eventually be able to read them at the Vatican web site here.
However, at the time of this writing there is only a brief summary of his remarks as a placeholder until the Vatican’s English translation can be prepared (usually a delay of a week or more).
Until then, here is the Italian original, and you can read Zenit’s English translation here.
2) What did the pope say about divorced and remarried couples not being excommunicated?
He said:
[I]n fact, these people are not at all excommunicated, they are not excommunicated! And they are absolutely not treated as such: they are always part of the Church.