The comments and criticism against the apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, are 'respectable, but wrong.' Pope Francis spoke clearly before a group of Jesuits in a private meeting and the Jesuit journal, La Civiltà Cattolica, has published his comments.
The meeting was during his trip to Colombia. The pope told the Jesuits in Cartagena that in order to understand the apostolic exhortation, two things must be done: 'read Amoris Laetitia from start to end' and 'read what was said in the Synod.'
He also replied to those who say that the moral background underlying Amoris Laetitia is not safe or even Catholic. The pope explained that the morality that sustains his document is Thomist.
In November last year, the four cardinals who decided to make their doubts about Amoris Laetitia public aroused much controversy. The Vatican had said the answer was found in the apostolic exhortation.
Recently still, around 80 theologians and experts in traditionalist fields, who do not accept the Second Vatican Council, have signed a document accusing Pope Francis of seven heresies.
However, the same sectors also attributed 101 heresies to John Paul II and criticized Benedict XVI for his ecumenical gestures.
FULL TEXT OF THE POPE'S RESPONSE:
(Source: La Civiltà Cattolica)
“I’ll use this question to say something else that I believe should be said out of justice, and also out of charity. In fact I hear many comments – they are respectable for they come from children of God, but wrong – concerning the post-synod apostolic exhortation. To understand Amoris Laetitia you need to read it from the start to the end. Beginning with the first chapter, and to continue to the second and then on … and reflect. And read what was said in the Synod.”
“A second thing: some maintain that there is no Catholic morality underlying Amoris Laetitia, or at least, no sure morality. I want to repeat clearly that the morality of Amoris Laetitia is Thomist, the morality of the great Thomas. You can speak of it with a great theologian, one of the best today and one of the most mature, Cardinal Schönborn.”
“I want to say this so that you can help those who believe that morality is purely casuistic. Help them understand that the great Thomas possesses the greatest richness, which is still able to inspire us today. But on your knees, always on your knees…”
