The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life is in the process of preparing a new document to offer guidance and assistance to couples dealing with divorce and remarriage.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the head of the dicastery, has revealed that this initiative was specifically requested by Pope Francis. Farrell recently emphasized the need to support individuals facing challenges in their marriages. He also announced the development of a document to address the concerns of divorced and remarried couples, in line with the Pope’s directive.
The release date of this document has yet to be determined, as no specific timeline was provided.
Catholic individuals who have divorced and remarried without obtaining an annulment are not allowed to partake in holy Communion. This rule was reinforced by St. John Paul II in his 2005 apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio. However, Pope Francis has indicated that exceptions may exist, depending on individual circumstances, such as spouses practicing continence within their marriage.
When questioned about whether divorced and remarried Catholics could participate in the Eucharist, Pope Francis replied: “We cannot reduce a human situation to a prescriptive one.”
He also referenced statements made by his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who highlighted that numerous church marriages may be invalid due to insufficient faith.
According to Pope Francis, many young people fail to fully comprehend the commitment involved in marriage. He asserts that some marriages resemble social gatherings more than sacraments and that the notion of “forever” may not be completely understood by all partners.
