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Drolfille,
Please don't see this as trying to pick a fight. I am not, I am just trying to work this out in my own mind as well. It is part of that "think it through to its conclusion" bit I mentioned earlier.
As you are a Jesuit educated Catholic you know that Doctrine must be promulgated ex cathedra by the Pontif speaking as head of the magisterium. Since no such DOCTRINAL pronouncement exists I believe that this issue is not doctrinal but administrative. It seems to be a disciplinary matter not unlike the old practices of not eating meat on Friday or the requirement to fulfil one's Easter Duties. Hearsay, which by the way follows different legal interpretations in the UK vice the US, is not at issue here in that the advice was directly received from the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, RC Primate of England, and the senior eccleastical authority in that Country. His advice was presumably based on his knowledge, but was not received as hearsay as it was guidance given directly under his authority which is absolute within his See and Metropolitan Province and remains so unless he would be removed by the Pontif, which he was not. Near as I can figure out the Cardinal gave guidance based on his personal knowledge and/or he exercised his authority to dispence the faithful from any NON-DOCTRINAL requirement.
Your thoughts would honestly be appreciated.
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