Who is Worthy?

Continuing on its editorial line of last week, this week's leader from The Tablet returns to the plight of the divorced and remarried, in light of the recent post-Synodal divergence of opinion on the question of their reception of communion

[T]he refusal to admit them also sends a wrong signal – that Communion is a reward for good behaviour rather than medicine for the sick. It is this latter consideration that has led many parish clergy in the West to apply “internal forum” solutions to this problem. Given the difficulties of proving nullity under the Church’s annulment rules, the great majority of people involved in marital breakdown find themselves in limbo. Not being able to prove a marriage’s nullity with the degree of certainty required is not proof that it was valid in the first place. The couple concerned may be subjectively in good faith, sorry for their sins and wanting Communion for all the right reasons, and there may be little or no risk of scandal or hurt to others.

Where such conditions exist, a priest may resort to the rule that forbids the public refusal of Communion because of the scandal it would cause, whether or not the priest is privately aware that the individual concerned is in a state of grace. In other words, the responsibility ultimately falls to the individual. They have to be mindful of the prayer before Communion adapted from the words that the Centurion spoke to Christ in the Gospel story – “Lord I am not worthy to receive you [under my roof], but only say the word...” In that respect they are no different from anyone else.

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