Journal
1122 L Fri 8 Feb 2002
I noticed this morning that www.vatican.va has posted a translation of the Pope's speech to the Roman Rota on divorce that was widely publicised. For example the front page of The Australian refers to it in an article by Jane Fraser with the headline: "Illness is wages of sin, warns Vatican".
... This follows the Pope's recent admonition to Catholic lawyers that they should not become involved in divorce cases. Catholic Archbishop of Sydney George Pell quickly suggested the Pope had been misquoted due to a faulty translation from Italian. ...
Here is the translation that has been posted:
... Lawyers, as independent professionals, should always decline the use of their profession for an end that is contrary to justice, as is divorce. They can only cooperate in this kind of activity when, in the intention of the client, it is not directed to the break-up of the marriage, but to the securing of other legitimate effects that can only be obtained through such a judicial process in the established legal order (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2383). In this way, with their work of assisting and reconciling persons who are going through a marital crises, lawyers truly serve the rights of the person and avoid becoming mere technicians at the service of any interest whatever. ...
So clearly Jane Fraser is over simplifying what the Pope said.
That the Pope is addressing real issues is highlighted by Rosemary Neill's article "Family matters, but individuals come first" on page 11 of The Australian.
Copyright J.R. Lilburne, 8 February 2002. Last updated 10 February 2002.
Links to other sites:
English translation of the Pope's address to the Roman Rota on www.vatican.va