Controversial Argentine archbishop drafted Amoris Laetitia, Vatican journalist writes

May 25, 2016

An influential Italian journalist has identified an Argentine cleric as the principal author of Amoris Laetitia, the apostolic exhortation with which Pope Francis concluded the work of the Synod on the Family.

Sandro Magister of L'Espresso writes that passages in the papal document bear a striking resemblance to essays written by Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, the rector of the Pontifical Catholic University in Argentina. Magister notes in particular that the controversial Chapter 8 of Amoris Laetitia, which treats the question of whether divorced-and-remarried Catholics should receive Communion, reflect the prior published thoughts of the Argentine archbishop.

Archbishop Fernandez has long been recognized as an important ally of Pope Francis, and Vatican-watchers had agreed months ago that he would have a hand in drafting the papal document. He was also acknowledged in the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, as an important influence on the papal encyclical Laudato Si'. 

In addition to showing the similarity between the writings of Archbishop Fernandez and the papal document, Magister also recounts a history of clashes between the Argentine archbishop and the Vatican, during the pontificate of Benedict XVI, on the question of "situation ethics."

 

 

 

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Further information:

• “Amoris Laetitia” Has a Ghostwriter. His Name Is Víctor Manuel Fernández (L'Espresso)
• Pope's Synod exhortation to be published in March, Vatican official says (CWN, 1/27)
• Vatican newspaper discusses Argentine influences on Pope’s encyclical (CWN 6/23/15)