Amoris was an Apostolic Exhortation following the Synod on the Family . Chapter 8 was written in such a way as that it could be read as allowing for communion for persons who ' ve divorced , entered second civil marriages , are sexually active in those marriages , and have not had a declaration of nullity concerning their first marriage . The Church would consider such a situation adulterous and , adultery being a mortal sin , a situation that bars communion until rectified . Some bishops have chosen to read it thus . It could also be read as following traditional practice with a more pastoral approach . The problem is that there is general confusion as to what the Pope actually intended and certainly those who take a more cynical tack and believe that the Pope intended enough confusion as to allow for either approach . The dubia are a series of yesno questions posed by four Cardinals meant to clarify what Amoris is actually intended to mean or again , if you ' re cynical , a cunning trap meant to ensnare the Pope . It ' s all a bit of a mess .