Patriarch of Lisbon's guidelines for applying Amoris Laetitia

Note: Since writing this post I have found the time to translate the full document, and not just the paragraph with the actual guidelines. The full translation can be found here.

The Patriarchate of Lisbon published guidelines for the application of Amoris Laetitia this afternoon.

In a four page long document Patriarch D. Manuel Clemente quotes Amoris, naturally, as well as the Pope's letter to the bishops of Buenos Aires and the vicar-general's indications to the priests of Rome.

He stresses that a proper reading of these guidelines excludes the idea of universal and unrestricted access to the sacraments in cases of irregular unions.

I have translated the actual guidelines, which are as follows:

"Bearing all this in mind, I present herein some operative guidelines: a) To accompany and integrate people into the life of the community, in line with the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortations Familiaris Consortio, 84, Sacramentum Caritatis, 29 and Amoris Laetitia, 299. b) Carefully examine the specificity of each case. c) Not to exclude recourse to the diocesan tribunal, whenever there is doubt concerning the validity of the marriage. d) In cases in which validity is ascertained, not to neglect the proposal of a life in continence in the new situation. e) To bear in mind exceptional circumstances and the possibility of the sacraments, in line with the aforementioned apostolic exhortation and documents. f) To continue the process of discernment, bringing the practice ever closer to the ideal of Christian marriage and sacramental consistency."

The document can be seen here. The translated guidelines are item #5.