Moving and shaking

Those in the know are only too well aware of how occupied the days of December can be, especially as we prepare for the celebrations of Christmas. First there is the shopping, and of course the preparation of gifts to be shared, and then there are greetings customarily shared with friends and family in various ways throughout these days, and not least of all, the religious observances of the Nativity of the Lord.

Busy-ness seems to be the order of the day, and not only in our homes and lives, but the lives of others.

In Rome, there has recently been a plethora of house cleaning going on. In recent days the Vatican Information Service has published details about some changes being made to the Code of Canon Law, the 'rules' that govern certain practices within the Church. In particular, these changes affect cases of Marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics (can. 1086, 1117 and 1124).

In addition, certain changes have been instituted to the understandings of the effects of Ordination, especially in canons 1008, 1009, 1086, 1117, 1124 and 1127.

One possible understanding of these changes is to favour enhanced understandings between the Roman Church and the Eastern Churches who have until now enjoyed certain 'differences' in our theologies especially when it comes to understanding the relationships, rights and duties proper to bishops, priests and deacons. As to the changes which affect the directives proper to marriage, these are probably meant to align some longstanding difficulties of interpretation which have no doubt caused some end of frustration for those charged with the particular responsibility for interpreting cases of marriage nulity and declarations of freedom.

One thing is certain, the Church has its human side as well as its divine dimension. Although both may have as their intention the ultimate goal of unity with God and with one another, at least the more imperfect of the two seems to be particularly adept at finding fisures in the armour, and ways to complicate situations which were initially intended to be the fulfillment of a divine dream.

A concise examination of this case has already been posted on Tuesday of this week. Have a look.

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As if this were not enough, there is news today that Archbishop Emmanuel Malingo, who is well known in Vatican circles as a (ehem) independent thinker, has once again landed himself in hot water. As of this morning, not only has the Church imposed an excommunication (actually entered into effect since 2006) but a more grave punishment in the form of a laicization for him. This is particularly surprising since laicizations are not normally imposed on those who have already been advanced to the order of Bishop.

This case too has clarifications which may make it more understood by those of us who do not yet have advanced qualifications in the world of Canon Law.