Cologne, Germany, Jun 27, 2018 / 16:02 pm
Following months of controversy, the German bishops' conference have said they will further explore, in accordance with a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the topic of whether to allow Protestant spouses of Catholics to receive Communion.
"We would like to offer the Holy Father and the Roman Curia our assistance in this matter," the permanent council of the German bishops' conference said June 27. The council added that the topic of intercommunion will be taken up again at the September 2018 autumn plenary assembly of the German bishops' conference.
The CDF letter provides "indications and a framework for interpretation," the permanent council said, characterizing the letter as "an aid to orientation" for individual bishops.
The council stressed the importance of being on "an ecumenical quest to achieve a more profound understanding and even greater unity among Christians," adding, "we consider ourselves to be obliged to stride forward in this matter courageously."