text: At least some German prelates are proceeding in Christ's light, as Francis has advised.  The pastoral approach of Francis has two advantages.  
  
  First, it is a practical work-around to the Pharisaical preoccupation with legal formulations that has gripped the institutional Church in matters related to marriage and the family.
  
  Second, a pastoral focus gives breathing room for people to center themselves on the Spirit of Christ in their hearts.  This centering moves toward the reign of God that Jesus preached.
  
  Muller and the four cardinals don't appreciate how much distance there is from the Church when a person struggling to discern their conscience cannot be confident that a pastor will encourage that discernment.  Francis is encouraging that discernment.
  
  And, in the end, that discernment restores the primacy of the great commandments to love God and neighbor.  Lack of "exceptions" to a subordinate principle -- such as indissolubility -- risks denying the primacy of love.