Give the divorced a second chance

by Letters Editor · March 27, 2014

Father Kevin Reynolds’ article (February 26) about God giving us a second chance is refreshingly honest. His paragraph about moral imperatives is something the bishops should be concerning themselves with when they meet for their synod in October.

(CNS photo/Joshua Lott, Reuters)

Communion for remarried divorcees is one topic that Pope Francis has included for discussion.

Getting divorced is not a crime, nor is it a misdemeanour. It is to do with loyalty, or the lack thereof. In Muslim culture, divorce is acceptable but a stipulation is made that the husband has to provide equally for both his new and previous wife. This obviously safeguards the now divorced woman from becoming destitute and prevents huge sums of money being spent on lawyers.

Fr Reynolds also mentions unrealistic ideals that the laity are expected to achieve. Yes, some do but I bet they are in the minority.

JH Goossens (March 5) criticises our late Archbishop Denis Hurley’s views on contraception. Although endorsed by the Church, isn’t the natural family planning method also a form of contraception? If one looks at birth statistics in South Africa, which average out at three children per family, it effectively means upwards of nine potential children per family are denied being brought into this world.

Nelson Mandela has also been criticised for signing the abortion bill.

Jan Smuts was a prominent figure in politics when the controversial 1913 Land Act was signed.

Great leaders such as Hurley, Smuts and Mandela will always be candidates for criticism but without them our country would be a lot worse off.