Post Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia in Vatican City on April 8, 2016. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Vatican City, Oct 3, 2023 / 14:00 pm (CNA).
The Vatican on Monday publicly released responses to 10 “dubia” submitted by Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka regarding “the administration of the Eucharist to divorced couples living in a new union.”
Originally submitted by the archbishop emeritus of Prague on July 13 on behalf of the Czech Bishops’ Conference, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s response — signed both by Pope Francis and new prefect Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández — had been issued to the Czech cardinal on Sept. 25.
At the heart of Duka’s dubia and the Vatican’s response was the practical application of Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation issued after the 2015 Synod on the Family. The questions submitted focus on pastoral guidance for the reception of Communion by those sacramentally married but “divorced and remarried” to another person other than their spouse.
Read the text of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s response below, translated by CNA’s Matthew Santucci:
Response to a series of questions, proposed by His Eminence Cardinal Dominik Duka, OP, regarding the administration of the Eucharist to divorced couples living in a new union.
On July 13, 2023, a request was received by this department from His Eminence Cardinal Dominik Duka, OP, archbishop emeritus of Prague, on behalf of the Czech Bishops’ Conference, who asks a series of questions regarding the administration of the Eucharist to divorced people living in a new union.
Although some of the questions are not drafted clearly enough and, therefore, may be a harbinger of some inaccuracies, this dicastery intends to respond to help resolve the doubts raised by them.
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Is it possible for a diocese in a union of the bishops’ conference to make decisions completely autonomously, referring to the facts cited in questions 2 and 3?
The apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, a document of the ordinary pontifical magisterium, towards which all are called to offer the homage of intelligence and will, states that “priests have the duty to accompany [the divorced and remarried] in helping them to understand their situation according to the teaching of the Church and the guidelines of the bishop.” In this sense, it is possible, indeed it is desirable, that the ordinary of a diocese establishes some criteria which, in line with the teaching of the Church, can help priests in the accompaniment and discernment of divorced people living in a new union.
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Can Pope Francis’ response to the question from the pastoral section of the diocese of Buenos Aires, given that the text was published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, be considered an affirmation of the ordinary magisterium of the Church?
As indicated in the rescript accompanying the two documents on the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, these are published “velut magisterium authenticum,” that is, as authentic magisterium (teaching).
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Is it a decision of the ordinary magisterium of the Church based on the document Amoris Laetitiae?
As the Holy Father recalls in his letters to the delegate of the pastoral region of Buenos Aires, Amoris Laetitia was the result of the work and prayer of the whole Church, with the mediation of two synods and the pope. This document is based on the magisterium of previous popes, who already recognized the possibility for divorced people in new unions to access the Eucharist, as long as they assume “the duty to live in complete continence, that is, by abstinence from the acts proper to married couples,” as it was proposed by John Paul II or to “commit (themselves) to living their relationship … as friends” as proposed by Benedict XVI. Francis maintains the proposal of full continence for the divorced and remarried in a new union, but admits that there may be difficulties in practicing it and therefore allows in certain cases, after adequate discernment, the administration of the sacrament of reconciliation even when it is not possible in being faithful to the continence proposed by the Church.
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Is it Amoris Laetitiae’s intention to institutionalize this solution through a permit or an official decision for individual couples?
Point 1 of the document “basic criteria for the application of chapter VIII of Amoris Laetitia” expressly states: “It is not appropriate to speak of ‘permissions’ to access the sacraments, but rather of a process of discernment accompanied by a pastor. It is a ‘personal and pastoral’ discernment” (AL, 300). It is therefore a question of pastoral accompaniment as an exercise of the “via caritatis,” which is nothing other than an invitation to follow the path “of Jesus: of mercy and reinstatement.” Amoris Laetitia opens the possibility of accessing the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist when, in a particular case, there are limitations that attenuate responsibility and culpability (guilt). On the other hand, this process of accompaniment does not necessarily end with the sacraments, but can be oriented towards other forms of integration in the life of the Church: a greater presence in the community, participation in prayer or reflection groups, or involvement in various ecclesial services.
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Who should be the evaluator of the situation given the couples in question, any confessor, local parish priest, vicar forane, episcopal vicar, or penitentiary?
It is about starting an itinerary of pastoral accompaniment for the discernment of each individual person. Amoris Laetitia underlines that all priests have the responsibility to accompany interested people on the journey of discernment. It is the priest who welcomes the person, listens to him carefully and shows him the maternal face of the Church, accepting his right intention and his good purpose to place his whole life in the light of the Gospel and to practice charity. But it is each person, individually, who is called to put himself before God and expose his conscience to him, with both his possibilities and limits. This conscience, accompanied by a priest and enlightened by the guidelines of the Church, is called to be formed to evaluate and give a sufficient judgment to discern the possibility of accessing the sacraments.
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Would it be appropriate for these to be dealt with by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal?
In cases where it is possible to establish a declaration of nullity, the appeal to the ecclesiastical tribunal will be part of the discernment process. The Holy Father wanted to simplify these processes through the motu proprio Mitis Iudex. The problem arises in more complex situations in which it is not possible to obtain a declaration of nullity. In these cases, a process of discernment may also be possible which stimulates or renews the personal encounter with Jesus Christ, also in the sacraments.
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Can this principle be applied to both parties of a civilly divorced marriage, or distinguish the degree of fault and proceed accordingly?
St. John Paul II had already stated that “the judgment of one’s state of grace obviously belongs only to the person involved, since it is a question of examining one’s conscience.” Therefore, it is a process of individual discernment in which “the divorced and remarried should ask themselves: how did they act towards their children when the conjugal union entered into crisis; whether or not they made attempts at reconciliation; what has become of the abandoned party; what consequences the new relationship has on the rest of the family and the community of the faithful; and what example is being set for young people who are preparing for marriage. A sincere reflection can strengthen trust in the mercy of God, which is not denied anyone.”
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In the case of this single permission, is it to be understood that married life (the sexual aspect) must not be mentioned in the sacrament of reconciliation?
Even in the sacrament of marriage, the sexual life of the spouses is the subject of an examination of conscience to confirm that it is a true expression of love and that it helps growth in love. All aspects of life must be placed before God.
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Wouldn’t it be appropriate for the entire issue to be explained better in the text of your competent dicastery?
Based on the words of the Holy Father in the letter of response to the delegate of the Buenos Aires pastoral region, in which it was stated that there are no other interpretations, it seems that the issue is sufficiently explained in the aforementioned document.
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How to proceed to establish internal unity, but also to avoid disturbing the ordinary magisterium of the Church?
It would be appropriate for the episcopal conference to agree on some minimum criteria, to implement the proposals of Amoris Laetitia, which help priests in the processes of accompaniment and discernment regarding the possible access to the sacraments of some divorcees in a new union, without prejudice to the legitimate authority that each bishop has in his own diocese.
Ex Audientia Die: 25/9/2023
Franciscus
Victor Fernández
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By 
#1. The Pope should be concentrating on how to help Catholics attain eternal life.
#2. The Pope should realize that Islam – led by Iran – DECLARED WAR against the West a long, long time ago. Some of us in the West are just now waking up to that fact. Islam wants to see Westetn Culture, including Christianity, wiped off the face of the earth. Unfortunately, Pachamama Popes can’t see through all the smoke they generate to see this.
How does Iran “lead Islam”? You realize we are defending Islamic countries in this conflict including those that have supported genocide against Christians?
If you’re triggered by popes decrying war, you probably need to log off for a bit. How dare the pope lament a conflict that has already resulted in 100+ schoolgirls get killed by an errant US missile strike
Jesus said that wars “must come.” All leading to deception, false peace. “Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth.” –Catechism 675
Deacon: Didn’t you study Catholic Social Teaching in Deacon School?
Liberty and democracy become unholy when their hands are dyed red with innocent blood – Mahatma Gandhi
As there appears to be no intersection between The Islamic Revolutionary Regime running the police state over the Iranian people, and “the innocent,” it seems Mr. Ghandi’s quote is not apt.
The Islamic Revolutionary Regime agrees, and has reminded the world for some 50 years: “Death to America,” etc.
Please explain that to the Iranian regime, Dr.Coelho. It would save many lives.
Right. This is the same Ghandi whose every “non-violent” protest broke out into mob violence. Hardly a coincidence, and hardly someone who should be held up as an example.
Iran has been the largest instigator of terrorism for the last forty years. Countless diplomats and national leaders have attempted to negotiate with this rogue state to no avail. Terrorism has marched on and nations have wrung their hands in chagrin. Exactly what should the nations of the world do – any nation. Should any nation dare to strongly reprimand Iran? As for me and my house, we will not worry for one instant that any nation will finally attempt to cut the head off of the beast.
We will continue to support the people of Iran. They are loved and supported even as their national leaders murder them in the tens of thousands as they protest for change. May the war continue until the Iranian people are free.
Do I have this right?
The Pontiff Leo, who with his “vice-president” the Eminent Pietro Parolin, persists in maintaining a Secret Accord with the Homicidal Chinese Communist Party Regime, whereby their “co-accordists” decapitate the Body of Christ in China, and substitute Chairman Xi in place of Jesus, is calling on us all, including our “Vatican-betrayed” brethren in China, to “come out of cramped spaces” and “walk in the light of love.”
That’s “rich.”
Yep. You have it right. Except we might make note of the overall entropic moral sloth that currently passes for Catholic witness from Rome. Unless I missed it, I’m still waiting for a prominent prelate, anywhere, just one prelate, to publicly announce to the world that Catholics hold to the truth that raping a child is an intrisically evil thing to do.
At times with the first gush of victory papal admonitions appear the same old same all. That illusion of victory has passed, the U.S. now drawn into an increasing, complex spread of hostilities.
A visibly battered foe, most military assets presumed demolished, except for tenacity and hidden missile sites, retains a crushing grip on our most valuable, private assets. Oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.
Netanyahu has played Pres Trump like a fiddle convincing him the decapitation of command would spell defeat for our common enemy. Israel has behaved excessively in Gaza and Lebanon to the detriment of Christians.
Now, perhaps, the usual papal appeals for negotiation and peace do not appear so naive. Our President is struggling for a resolution, a means to avoid a non ending war, the resumption of oil flow, the stability of world economies.
President Trump, his advisors require our prayers and support. If an administration that has achieved so much good loses its balance and falls, the Church and the world will suffer greatly because of it.
“Netanyahu has played Pres Trump like a fiddle convincing him the decapitation of command would spell defeat for our common enemy”
What a lot of CRAP!
Whether one is a fan of Donald Trump or not I think most of us understand that no one plays him like a fiddle.
Well, how about a viola de gamba?
Yes, wholeheartedly, especially to your last comment.
A dire situation today, but one added perspective might be this: how would things look in a few years, instead, if Iran’s cards included nuclear blackmail?
Peter Beaulieu. Although we’re in a difficult bind, unexpected since strategic forecasts: civilian rebellion, collapse of hierarchical structure, complete destruction of delivery systems didn’t occur, the resiliency of the Iranians, the effectiveness of their drones – I certainly hope we eventually meet the objective of at least pushing back, and to continually degrade their nuclear capability.
Since we had already destroyed their major nuclear development sites with the B-2 stealth bombings, there was only an alleged stockpile of uranium that we could have eventually detected and destroyed. The Strait had remained open. At the moment the decision to go all out hoping to topple the government has failed. Iran’s hold of the Strait of Hormuz has to be resolved. A major dilemma.
Given the vast cultural divide, the initial goal of eliminating a nuclear capability, the navy, and ballistic missile program was precise and coherent, before assuming a western style regime change in a non-western context.
About that context, what if what we’re dealing with is not radical Islam, but rather the absorbed Zoroastrian (and Persian) ingredient. Meaning that the world rejects the peace of cosmopolitan Islam because the fallen world is the doings of a second and evil deity, and not a sin “original”, instead, to ourselves (Islam rejects the Redemption because it does not recognize original sin). A small step, then, even in the 21st century to see the outside world and the west as Satan.
A bit of clumsiness for some clericalists and witless journalists to use interchangeably the term interreligious and interfaith.
To oppose this war is to favor the status quo, which is Iran killing many thousands of its own citizens, as it did in January, to continue funding and supplying weapons to terrorists – Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthi’s, to issue fatwas against foreign leaders, etc. Just as those who believe that this war fits Just War criteria, and must accept the consequences, those who oppose it should state clearly that they accept the consequences (listed above) of continuing the status quo.
All well and good, but where and how to go from here while people are still dying and suffering?
You must mean the 20,000 Iranians who were murdered by their islamic mullah leaders.
I believe most of “the narratives” and attempts at explanation fail to grasp the fundamental situation.
It appears that the fundamental situation is that The Islamic Revolutionary Regime, an ally of homicidal empire of Red China and homicidal empire of Russia, intends that the world and its own people submit to its conventional terror, until such time as they acquire nuclear weapons, when the world will be told to submit to its nuclear terror.
As the Islamic Revolutionary Regime has been content to have the world and its own captive Iranian people live in terror for 50 years, it is time now to turn the script against them, and provide for the Islamic Revolutionary Regime that they will now themselves live in fear every day, year in and year out, until their power is somehow brought to an end.
If they are unwilling to end this voluntarily, they should live in constant threat of annihilation, because annihilation of others is the only thing they live for.
While the Pope and the bishops continue to endanger us, our families and our children by protecting people whose first evidence of ethical behavior is to disregard and violate our laws by entering illegally.
An illegal alien, released into the United States by the Biden administration, is now charged with murdering 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman, a freshman at Loyal University in the sanctuary city of Chicago, Illinois.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/03/23/illegal-alien-charged-murder-sheridan-gorman/
Feds Charge Azerbaijan Migrant with $90M Healthcare Fraud
Federal prosecutors have charged an Azerbaijani national with perpetrating $90 million in healthcare fraud.
Anar Rustamov, 39, “who appears to have entered the United States illegally,” has been indicted on 14 counts of allegedly orchestrating a scheme to file thousands of false claims for medical equipment with the Medicare Advantage program, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2026/03/23/feds-charge-azerbaijan-migrant-90m-healthcare-fraud/
Pape Leo and non-Muslims to convert to Islam to avoid death by these punishments from God natural disasters floods wildfires strong earthquakes more mag 7 earthquake tsunami volcano meteorites plane crash in Europe in Africa in Asia in Pacific Ocean in North and South America March 24, 2026 and to avoid hell if the world end of the world on March 27, 2026 Surah Al-Imran 85/3.