POPE Francis has criticised those who care more about the letter of the law than people’s individual situations in the context of his recent letter Amoris Laetitia and its tone of mercy.
Speaking during a homily at Mass last Monday April 11, the Pope warned Catholics against such behaviour by recalling the attack of blasphemy against Stephen by religious leaders at the time. He said: “Their hearts, closed to God’s truth, clutch only at the truth of the Law, taking it be the ‘letter’ and do not find outlets other than in lies, false witness and death.”
The Pope criticised such an approach as being the wrong response to repentant people.
The Pope’s homily came days after his Letter, “The Joy of Love”, in which he called for priests to take a more pastoral approach to people in irregular situations.