Folia Theologica et Canonica 9. 31/23 (2020)

Ius canonicum

PASTORAL LEGISLATION OF POPE FRANCIS: NEW NORMS ON TEACHING... 325

IV. The Holy Eucharist 1. Material of the Holy Eucharist

The Congregation for Divine Worship issued a circular letter to the bishops on the material which used for the Holy Eucharist.34 This document was promulgated on June 15th 201735, and basically repeated the former legislation regarding the bread and altar-wine.36 The newly precise summary was necessary because mainly in USA several abuses have appeared, ignoring the clear definition of the material which can be used for glucose or wine intolerance. The document again defined that only the reduced glucose content is allowed material, not the entire glucose free bread. There is also a clear definition of ‘mustum’ against the artificial ‘dealcoholized’ wine.

Regarding the pandemic situation (Covid-19) the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments issued two decrees on March 19th and 25th, giving suggestions to the bishops about celebration of Palm Sunday, The Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday - Easter Vigil of 2020.37

2. Interpretation of the Amoris laetitia Chapter VIII

Here I refer to Pope Francis’ Apostolic letter Recibi el escrito (September 5th 2016) and its Appendix38 (by Card. Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State) as interpretation to Chapter 8 of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation A moris laetitia (March 19th 2016).39 This letter originally was addressed to the bishops of the Pastoral Area of Buenos Aires, interpreting their guidelines for application of the afore-mentioned Chapter on the day-to-day pastoral work, namely about the papal teaching on the pastoral care of divorced and civilly re-married faith-34 About the former - similar - regulation, cf. SC de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, Instr., Inaestimabile donum (3 apr. 1980), nr. 8: AAS 72 (1980) 335-336. SC de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, Rescr. pert. (13 oct. 1978): Leges Ecclesiae, V. 7479.

35 C. de Cultu Divino, Epist. circularis (15 iun. 2017): AAS 109 (2017) 857-859.

34 Cf. Radó, P., Enchiridion liturgicum, I. Romae-Friburgi-Barcinone 1966. 518-522. Jungmann, J. A., EI Sacrificio de la Misa (Missarum Sollemnia) [BAC 68], Madrid 1963. 578-587, nr. II. 32-41. Erdő, R, Egyházjog (Szent István Kézikönyvek 7), Budapest 2014.5 461.

37 C. de Cultu Divino, Deer. In tempo di Covid-19 (I) - (II) [ 19 mart. 2020; 25 mart. 2020]: http:// www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20200325_ decreto-intempodicovid it.htm (consulted: April 6,h 2020).

38 AAS 108 (2016) 1071-1074.

39 About the background in detail, cf. De Vecchi, G., Da Humanae vitae ad Amoris laetitia. Uno sgardo al femminile, in Apulia Theologica. Rivista della Facolta Theologica Pugliese VI (2020/2) 257-273.