Communion for Divorced & “Remarried”

In Chapter 8 of his 2016 apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis controversially allowed some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion on a case-by-case basis under certain circumstances and after a period of discernment. The Church had until then barred divorced and civilly remarried couples from receiving Holy Communion because, objectively, they are living in a state of adultery. Exceptions were made if they could live as “brother and sister.” Supporters embraced the change as inclusive and pastorally necessary due to the social complexities of today; critics said it was open to interpretation, potentially contradicted previous teaching on the indissolubility of marriage, and could lead couples to flout the moral law.