A New way of dealing with moral problems: The discernment of the extenuating factors

Abstract

Pope S. John Paul II, in Veritatis splendor, placed the goodness and seriousness of the act on the objective side of the action, without underestimating the role of conscience and circumstances. Pope Francis, in Amoris laetitia, without forgetting the justification of the act, inaugurates a new way of facing moral problems pastorally, integrating the discernment of extenuating circumstances that affect the responsibility of the agent. This article shows that the moral doctrine of mitigations, which had been forgotten, becomes relevant with Pope Francis. He observes how the polarization of the object has led to reductionism in moral assessment. The contribution of Amoris Laetitia stands out, which fully integrates the extenuating factors in moral discernment and promotes in situations where the law is insufficient, the search for new paths that allow, in the midst of limits, growth in grace and in charity.