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Let marriage be honored among all (Heb. 13:4)
SCDF Letter - 1994 (Cardinal Ratzinger)
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3. [...] In recent years, in various regions, different pastoral solutions in this area have been suggested according to which, to be sure, a general admission of divorced and remarried to Eucharistic communion would not be possible,
but
the divorced and remarried members of the faithful could approach Holy
Communion in specific cases when they consider themselves authorized
according to a judgment of conscience to do so |
3. [...] Hac in re, postremis his in annis, in variis regionibus diversae solutiones pastorales propositae sunt, secundum quas fideles, qui post divortium novas nuptias inierunt, quamvis generali ratione profecto ad Communionem Eucharisticam admittendi non sunt,
ad ipsam tamen accedere queunt
quibusdam in casibus, cum scilicet secundum iudicium suae ipsorum
conscientiae putent se hoc facere posse. |
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This would be the case, for example, [1] when they had been abandoned completely unjustly, although they sincerely tried to save the previous marriage, [2] or when they are convinced of the nullity of their previous marriage, although unable to demonstrate it in the external forum [3] or when they have gone through a long period of reflection and penance,
[4]
or also
when for morally valid reasons they cannot satisfy the obligation to
separate. |
Quod quidem evenire potest, verbi gratia, cum prorsus iniuste deserti fuerint, quamvis prius matrimonium salvum facere sincere conati sint, vel cum persuasi sint de nullitate prioris matrimonii, quae tamen probari non possit in foro externo, vel cum iam longum reflexionis et paenitentiae iter emensi sint,
vel etiam cum ob rationes moraliter validas iidem separationis obligationi
satisfacere non possint. |
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In
some places, it has also been proposed that in order objectively to
examine their actual situation, the divorced and remarried would have to
consult a prudent and expert priest. This priest, however, would have to
respect their eventual decision to approach Holy Communion, without this
implying an official authorization. |
Iuxta quasdam
opiniones, ad veram suam condicionem obiective examinandam, divortio
digressis, qui novas inierunt nuptias, colloquium ineundum esset cum
presbytero prudenti ac experto. Idem sacerdos tamen observet oportet eorum
adventiciam decisionem conscientiae accedendi ad Eucharistiam, quin hoc
significet admissionem ex parte auctoritatis. |
| With respect to the aforementioned new pastoral proposals, this Congregation deems itself obliged therefore to recall the doctrine and discipline of the Church in this matter. In fidelity to the words of Jesus Christ(5), the Church affirms that a new union cannot be recognized as valid if the preceding marriage was valid. If the divorced are remarried civilly, they find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God's law. Consequently, they cannot receive Holy Communion as long as this situation persists | Quare haec Congregatio, prae oculis habens novas superius memoratas propositiones pastorales, suum officium esse ducit in memoriam revocare doctrinam et disciplinam Ecclesiae hac in re. Ipsa enim, propter fidelitatem erga Iesu Christi verbum(5), affirmat se non posse validum agnoscere novum coniugium, si prius matrimonium validum fuit. Divortio digressi, si ad alias nuptias civiliter transierunt, in condicione versantur obiective legi Dei contraria. Idcirco, quoad haec durat condicio, ad Eucharisticam Communionem accedere iis non licet( |
MARRIED → DIVORCED → REMARRIED
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PREVIOUS
MARRIAGE
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PREVIOUS MARRIAGE SACRAMENTAL
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“Know
the Rules,”
but convinced in conscience that:
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