Couples in troubled relationships may find solace in the words that the head of the Catholic Church recently said. Pope Francis believes that separation in some families may be inevitable and "morally necessary" in certain situations.
"Sometimes, it can even be morally necessary, when it's about shielding the weaker spouse or young children from the more serious wounds caused by intimidation and violence, humiliation and exploitation," said the Pope, according to New York Post.
He also stressed that parents should give importance to the children during the relationship's most trying times, so that they do not "become daddy or mummy's hostage," according to News Corp Australia.
Pope Francis imparted this message during his weekly general assembly with devotees. But while what he said seemed to go against Catholic teachings, which does not believe in divorce, the pope wanted to show that the Church has compassion for these types of situation.
The issue on separation and divorce is expected to be discussed further when the Church celebrates its global meeting on family life in October. The pope is said to be working to change Catholic thinking, so that it aligns with what is true with most of the believers in these present times.
Back in December 2014, the pope actually discussed the issue of divorce during an interview with an Argentinian media outlet, according to the Washington Post. He said that the Church must find ways to become more accepting and tolerant of divorced Catholics.
At the moment, the policy the Church follows is to disallow divorcees who have remarried from receiving communion. Unless their first marriage has been completely dissolved and voided by the Church, they are not supposed to receive this sacrament. They are also prohibited from becoming godparents to babies during baptism.
"It seems they are excommunicated de facto," Pope Francis said in the interview. "Why not open the doors a little bit more. Why can't they be godparents?" he pointed out, as stated by the Washington Post report.
Pope Francis suggests that the Church may have to review its position. He also said that Catholic families have a wider range of family problems that need to be addressed by church leaders, other than divorce: poverty, gay unions, polygamy and domestic violence.
His reforms, while welcomed by more open-minded followers, are a concern for the more traditional church leaders as fears that Pope Francis is "watering down the Church teachings" have been raised.
