Whether it is true or not that 'Fr Bergoglio' rang that woman married to a divorced man and told her she could receive Holy Communion, he may as well have. With his new approach to an open pontificate with his many off the cuff talks and his double meaning quips and words of 'wisdom,' the damage gets done anyway, whether he says things or not, whether he means what his words say or not.

In yesterday's IRISH DAILY MAIL front page there is a picture of the Pope with headlines: 'HAS THE POPE LIFTED THE COMMUNION BAN ON DIVORCEES?

On page 10  is an article headlined POPE 'LIFTS' DIVORCEE COMMUNION BAN. then there is the story as doing the rounds.

But then there is AN EDITORIAL that says:

CARING PAPAL GESTURE

The traditional opposition of Catholic Church Leaders to divorced people receiving Communion has, at least in recent years, probably been honoured more in the breach than the observance. Nevertheless, it remains a deeply divisive issue for divorcees, many of whom wish to remain fully active members of the Church.
     In telling a woman married to a divorced man that a divorcee taking communion 'does no harm', Pope francis, it could be argued, is doing no more than acknowledging reality - something that is, of course, refreshing in itself when it comes from the Vatican
     More significantly however, it is another indication that, when he wants to, this Pope is more than willing to go against conservative thinking and, above all, to be non judgemental - a concept that is, of course, at the heart of the Christian faith and,  increasingly, at the heart of the PAPACY OF CHANGE.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a divorced man or woman can still receive the Blessed Sacrament as long as they are not remarried or engaging in conjugal behavior.  Is this right?