Introduction The Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia, and his letter to the Bishops of the Buenos Aires Pastoral Region confirming its implication for Holy Communion for the divorced and remarried, has engendered a number of doubts (or dubia) as to its Catholic orthodoxy. These objections have come from the all levels in the … Continue reading Amoris Laetitia – An Apologia for its Orthodoxy

This objection, as stated in the first Dubia of the four Cardinals, is that it is not: “[P]ossible to grant absolution in the sacrament of penance, and thus to admit to holy Communion a person who, while bound by a valid marital bond, lives together with a different person more uxorio without fulfilling the conditions … Continue reading 1.0 Mortal Sin

This objection, as stated in the second, fourth and fifth Dubia of the four Cardinals, is that it must be affirmed as valid that: Absolute moral norms exist that prohibit intrinsically evil acts and which are binding without exceptions (VS 79). Circumstances or intentions can never transform an act intrinsically evil by virtue of its … Continue reading 2.0 Intrinsic Evil

This objection, as referred to in the third Dubia of the four Cardinals, is that under Canon 915 the D&R “obstinately persist in manifest grave sin” and “are not to be admitted to holy Communion”. 3.1 Doctrinal Background of the Objection The impediment to the D&R receiving Holy Communion under Canon 915 is also expressed … Continue reading 3.0 Public Scandal

This objection is that, as FC 84 bases its exclusion of the D&R from Holy Communion upon Sacred Scripture, the exclusion is of itself an unchangeable doctrinal proposition. 4.1 Doctrinal Background of the Objection FC 84 does not indicate the Sacred Scripture to which it is referring, but merely states: “[T]he Church reaffirms her practice, … Continue reading 4.0 Sacred Scripture

This objection is that FC 84 provides an additional and purportedly doctrinal reason for the exclusion of the D&R from Holy Communion beyond mortal sin (refer 1.0 Mortal Sin) and public scandal (refer 3.0 Public Scandal), being that the D&R objectively contradict the Eucharist. 5.1 Doctrinal Background of the Objection FC 84 states: “They are … Continue reading 5.0 Objective Contradiction

This objection is that, as the exclusion of the D&R from Holy Communion has been the constant and unchanging practice of the Church, the exclusion is of itself an unchangeable doctrinal proposition. 6.1 Doctrinal Background of the Objection Pope St John Paul II, in confirming the reservation of priestly ordination to men alone was of … Continue reading 6.0 Unchanging Practice

This objection is that, as the principles contained in AL would equally apply to access to the Sacraments by people who commit other objectively grave sins (i.e. same-sex relations, abortion, suicide / euthanasia, artificial contraception etc), the ability of the Church to witness against these grave evils will be impaired. 7.1 The D&R the Exception, … Continue reading 7.0 Slippery Slope

This objection is that, if the D&R not living in complete continence can receive Holy Communion, the dogma of the indissolubility of marriage is effectively denied. 8.1 Doctrinal Background of the Objection Canon 7 of the 24th Session of the Council of Trent declares, based on Sacred Scripture (Matthew 19:3-12, Mark 10:2-12 etc), that: “If … Continue reading 8.0 Indissolubility

This Apologia seeks to demonstrate, with reference to the most prominent objections which have been raised against AL, that it neither contradicts nor even develops the doctrine of the Church. Rather it shows that while AL changes Church teaching, in the sense of its disciplines, these changes are of a purely pastoral nature which are … Continue reading 9.0 Abstract and Conclusion