Problem:  the same organization that set a law, a law that it has said should be rigorously obeyed,  now wants to keep that rigorous law.........but at the same time, puts forward a * new * law, a law that says the rigorous law can now, sometimes, be obviated by mercy, if one picks the right prelate to confess one's breaking of the rigorous  law.

I don't personally like the church's laws on divorce and annulment, but I can't really blame those who find the "mercy" law to be a confusing contradiction.