The "internal forum"

[Magisterium]

Hey,
I was wondering if any people here are familiar with this term. From the research I've been able to do, it seems to be an appeal to one's internal feelings over the authoritative declaration by the church in the matter of annulment.


From what I've heard and read, apparently, if someone who has re-married (outside of the church) requests an annulment and it is denied, they can "in good conscience" approach the Blessed Sacrament if through prayer careful consideration, they should find it permissable.

With what I understand about the church's moral teachings, no amount of "prayerful reflection" or "careful consideration" makes a mortal sin no longer a mortal sin. Though one's personal culpability may be diminished by certain circumstances, the act itself remains intrinsically wrong.

The reason I ask is that I know of a priest who is apparently extending this idea of the "internal forum" to other matters outside of annulment. All published references to this idea that I've found (which stands on shaky ground at best anyway) are in reference to annulment only. Has anyone else come across this idea in practice or in education?

 

[Carrye]

As I understand, it is no longer an option. But I'm going to look for documentation for you.

 

[Magisterium]

As I understand, it is no longer an option. But I'm going to look for documentation for you.

Thanks!

 

[Carrye]

Concerning the Reception of Holy Communion by Divorced and Remarried Members of the Faithful

In recent years in various regions different pastoral solutions in this area have been suggested according to which, to be sure, a general admission of the divorced and remarried to eucharistic communion would not be possible, but divorced and-remarried members of the faithful could approach holy communion in specific cases when they consider themselves authorized according to a judgment of conscience to do so. This would be the case, for example, when they had been abandoned completely unjustly although they sincerely tried to save the previous marriage, or when they are convinced of the nullity of their previous marriage although unable to demonstrate it in the external forum, or when they have gone through a long period of reflection and penance, or also when for morally valid reasons they cannot satisfy the obligation to separate.

Related:
Internal Forum and Marriage

On Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction