According to Reinhard Cardinal Marx, the German bishops recently prepared guidelines that contemplate the possible admission to Holy Communion of Protestants who are married to a Catholic spouse. The only absolute prerequisite would be that these Protestants affirm the faith of the Catholic Church. (More recent reports indicate that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the pope's backing, has rejected the German bishops' proposal. The German bishops, however, deny that this is the case.)
Cardinal Marx added that opening up this possibility would not mean changing doctrine but only modifying one's pastoral approach. However, wouldn't this new “pastoral” procedure have doctrinal implications? Is it enough to affirm the faith of the Catholic Church in order to be able to receive the Eucharist, or is it necessary actually to belong to the Catholic Church?
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