Hi Kevin,
You asked, "Has Joe not changed direction?" In your example you said it was unreasonable for Joe and his wife to live chaste (abstain from sexual relations). I do not believe this to be true. I believe if we truly go to Jesus, then (this is important) put our trust in His Word, that with Him all things are possible (not with man alone, but in cooperation with God's mercy and grace). Joe and his wife can make this act of love to God if they choose to. I said earlier, the choice is theirs - God does not force anyone to change, to live in a state of grace rather than sin but He wants more than anything that out of love for Him, we want to do this! Kevin, I am not sure what you mean by Joe publicly confessing his sin of impurity (with his second wife). Does he go up to the altar and say that out loud that he is living in sin? I have never seen this done. If he were to do this, I have no doubt that the Priest would certainly seek him out in private after Mass. (Continued)