Folia Theologica et Canonica 11. 33/25 (2022)
Recensions
258 RECENSIONS lation (i.e. New Testament). This issue is being articulated in a more explicit form, under the influence of contemporary secular tendencies, primarily with regard to the possibility of communion for the legally divorced and civilly remarried. This could be clearly seen at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family (2014) and the Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the vocation and mission of the family (2015). The results of both Synods were reflected in Chapter 8 of Pope Francis’ post-Synodal exhortation Amoris laetitia (March 19th 2016). However, the theological teaching and canonical discipline on the indissolubility of marriage also played a role in the introductory reflections of the motu proprio Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus, issued on August 15th 2015 and entering into force on December 8th 2015, and the motu proprio Mitis et Misericors Iesus for the Eastern Churches, which aimed at simplifying the rules of canonical matrimonial process. It can be seen, then, that the question of the indissolubility of marriage and the obligations and rights that flow from it are now once again at the forefront of sacramental theology and ecclesial discipline. Miguel Benito PascuaTs volume, presented as a doctoral dissertation at the Universidad San Dámaso (Madrid), is particularly important in this contemporary scholarly discourse. The author approaches the contemporary problem from a distance and with a considered approach, by referring not to the most recent ecclesiastical documents, but primarily to the documents of the 13th century. Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical letter (February 10th 1880) and Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation (February 22nd 2007). In this way, it establishes a balanced interpretative horizon for the proper interpretation of the new ecclesiastical documents of 2014- 2017. The volume is divided into three parts: I. The most important magisterial teachings on the indissolubility of marriage and divorce from the encyclical Arcanum (1880) to the Second Vatican Council. II. Reflections on the receiving of the Eucharist and the sacrament of Penance for the divorced and remarried faithful from the Second Vatican Council to the Synod of Bishops of 1980 on the Family; III. Statements of the Pontifical Magisterium and the Holy See on the reception of the sacraments by the divorced and remarried faithful from 1980 to the Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum caritatis (February 22nd 2007). The First Part contains three chapters: papal documents (Leo XIII, Arcanum divinae sapientiae, February 10th 1880; Pius XI, Casri connubii, December 31st 1930; documents of Pius XII and John XXIII) [pp. 21-46]); the canons of the CIC (1917) on secular divorce and remarriage, or bigamy (pp. 47-64); the essential prescriptions of the Second Vatican Council on the indissolubility of marriage and secular divorce (pp. 65-90). The Part Two also divides its material into three chapters, explaining the positions of those authors who argued for the change in the discipline of the Church after the Second Vatican Council (pp. 93-144); the opinions of those who responded to
