Servant, guardian, or catalyst? Canon law and the possibility of pastoral renewal in marriage

Abstract

The relationship between canon law and pastoral renewal remains one of the most pressing and contested questions in the life of the Church today, particularly in the field of marriage, where doctrine, discipline, and lived experience intersect in complex ways. This paper engages three guiding questions proposed for this session: whether canon law hinders or fosters pastoral innovation; whether it can adapt to the contemporary needs and experiences of the faithful; and, if so, how such adaptation can remain faithful to the Church’s tradition.