Catholic Church Councils, parliamentary democracy, women and controversy

Abstract

The Local Church is currently in the spotlight after being in the international news as a resuIt of our bishops' interpretation regarding Pope Francis' Amoris Letitiae. The controversy regards Communion and whether divorced individuals and those leading a sexual life not according to the teachings of the Catholic Church should be allowed to receive the Sacrament. What is of interest in this debate is that those -opposing-this interpretation are referring to a particular Council - that of Trent - concerning the nature of the Eucharist. The paradox of it all is that those Catholic priests who are challenging the current Pope, are now being threatened by the same decrees promulgated by the Council of Trent. When the current archbishop challenged those seminarians, who do not want to accept Pope Francis' teaching, to leave, he was re-asserting a basic Tridentine principle. It was the Council of Trent that steadfastly affirmed the pyramidal power within the Church. From Trent onwards, the line of command was always from top downwards and not vice-versa. Perhaps, this may sound strange, but it is possible that there was more leeway in the Middle Ages. For those interested to learn more about this Council of Trent and the other Councils of the Catholic Church, Mons. Lawrenz Cachia has just published a book entitled "Il-Kontilji Ekumeniti,Storja Qasira Taghhom."