This is ludicrous!  The man has served his parish and his church since 1981 (35 years as a deacon) and not only is he not give an exemption to remarry, he is told he should not attend services at his former parish.  I get that those are the rules - but Dr. Weigel is the perfect example of why rules sometimes need to be broken.  And, perhaps, why some rules are just outdated.

If giving Dr. Weigel an exemption takes papal intervention, then Pope Francis needs to step forward and do it.  

More, this should cause US bishops to have a real discussion about the priesthood and the deaconate and actually think creatively and proactively about proposing realistic rules that fit the modern world and how people live in this day and age.  Then, bravely propose them to Pope Francis.  Act, for heaven's sake!