Unfinished Papal Business: The Dubia

There were of course two lots of dubia.

First there were the five 2016 dubia about Amoris Laetitia by "the four cardinals"*. The full text is apparently here.

Dubium 1 It is asked whether, following the affirmations of Amoris Laetitia (nn. 300–305), it has now become possible to grant absolution in the sacrament of penance and thus to admit to Holy Communion a person who, while bound by a valid marital bond, lives together with a different person more uxorio (in a marital way) without the conditions provided for by Familiaris Consortio n. 84 having been fulfilled and without the person having made a commitment to live in full continence, that is, in abstinence from acts proper to spouses. (In short: Can divorced-and-civilly-remarried Catholics receive Communion without living in complete continence?)

Dubium 2 After Amoris Laetitia (n. 304), is it still possible to affirm that those who habitually live in contradiction to a commandment of God’s law, as for instance the one that prohibits adultery (cf. Mt 19:3–9), find themselves in an objective situation of grave habitual sin?

Dubium 3 After the affirmations of Amoris Laetitia (n. 301) on “objectively grave” situations, is it still possible to state that a person who habitually lives in contradiction to a commandment of God’s law (e.g., the commandment against adultery) is in an objective situation of grave habitual sin?

Dubium 4 After Amoris Laetitia (n. 302) concerning “circumstances which mitigate moral responsibility,” is it still possible to affirm that circumstances can never change the moral nature of acts that are intrinsically evil because of their object (e.g., adultery, contraception, etc.)?

Dubium 5 After Amoris Laetitia (n. 303) on “the role of conscience,” is it still possible to affirm that conscience can never legitimately judge that, in certain concrete cases, acts intrinsically evil (such as adultery) can become morally good or even commanded by God?

It's worth bearing in mind that as of November 2025 none of these have yet been answered.

Then there were the five new 2023 dubia about the Synod on Synodality put forward by five cardinals, led apparently by Cardinal Burke.

This time, somewhat surprisingly, they got answers.

#	Dubium (reformulated version, August 2023)	Pope Francis’s answer (summary of the official response, July/October 2023)
1	Dubium regarding whether divine Revelation is capable of being interpreted in ways contrary to what the Church has always taught (i.e., can the Church today teach doctrines contrary to those she previously taught as definitive on faith and morals?).	No, the Church cannot contradict what she has previously taught as definitive. However, theological understanding can develop in continuity (a “homogeneous development”). The Pope warns against a rigid, “frozen” view of doctrine and says the Church must respond pastorally to new anthropological situations without betraying the deposit of faith.
2	Dubium on whether it is possible for the Church today to bless same-sex unions (i.e., can the Church give any kind of blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?).	The Church’s doctrine on marriage (exclusive, indissoluble union between man and woman open to life) remains unchanged and cannot be altered. However, pastoral charity requires us not to treat people merely as “sinners.” It is possible, on a case-by-case basis and without any liturgical form that could create confusion with marriage, to impart simple pastoral blessings to persons in irregular situations (including same-sex couples) as a sign of God’s closeness. (This answer directly paved the way for the December 2023 document Fiducia Supplicans.)
3	Dubium on synodality: whether synodality can become a “constitutive dimension” of the Church that would give bishops’ conferences or other synodal assemblies authority superior to or parallel with the authority of the Roman Pontiff and individual bishops.	No. Synodality is an essential dimension of the Church (Vatican II), but it is always exercised in hierarchical communion. The Pope’s authority is unique and cannot be limited or overridden by synodal assemblies or bishops’ conferences. Synodality must always respect the Petrine primacy and the proper authority of each bishop in his diocese.
4	Dubium on the ordination of women: can the Church in the future have the power to confer priestly ordination on women, thereby revoking the definitive judgment of St. John Paul II in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis?	No. The Church has no power to confer priestly ordination on women. This limitation is grounded in the Lord’s own will and belongs to the deposit of faith. The question of women deacons remains open for further study, but priestly ordination is definitively settled.
5	Dubium on sacramental absolution: is repentance (firm purpose of amendment) still a necessary condition for valid absolution, or can a priest sometimes absolve someone who manifestly has no intention of changing their sinful behavior?	Yes, repentance and the firm purpose of not sinning again remain necessary for valid sacramental absolution. However, in certain extreme or complex situations (e.g., danger of death, grave psychological impediments), God’s mercy can act even when perfect contrition is not fully present, and the minister can impart absolution trusting in divine grace. The ordinary requirement of contrition is not abolished.

One can only hope and pray that the new Pope gets round to answering the five 2016 dubia sooner or later.

* Cardinals Burke, Brandmüller, Caffarra, and Meisner
† Cardinals Burke, Brandmüller, Sarah, Zen, and Sandoval Íñiguez