Yes and no. We can’t be like the steward who buries his talent in the ground. The Church applies what has been handed down to new and challenging situations. Many things couldn’t have been imagined 2000 or 1000 or 500 or even 100 years ago and thus there is nothing we can directly point to. We also grow in our understanding of things. Suicide at one time was viewed as a selfish and freely chosen action, today we understand psychology and that most people who commit suicide suffer from some kind of mental illness. This of course does not negate the teaching that suicide is wrong, but how we approach it has changed dramatically from centuries ago.
Another example: the Petrine Privilege. It is not found in the early Church, but it is based on the theology of the Pauline Privilege which is in Scripture.
New situations demand that the Church more thoroughly examine the Deposit of Faith to better apply the old to the new.
I’m glad you clarified this.
However, it has to be said, that the Church has encountered the situation of irregular “marriages” throughout its entire history. In its missionary activity throughout the ages, all of these situations that are being discussed at the Synod have already been dealt with time after time, from the writings of St. Paul to the present day.
I fail to see how things are really that “different” now. In fact, the Church has been through much worse times, when even some Popes themselves have been degenerate. However, the Church did not alter its approach to accomodate their unchristian behavior.
Another thing I fail to see is how the Church is not being welcoming to all. This is where things must vary greatly across the globe. At least in America, in my area, the Church bends over backwards to accomodate just about anyone…ALL people are welcome at Mass, ALL people can come to devotions, ALL people can benefit from the Holy Sacrifice, whether it be from receiving Holy Communion or making a Spiritual Communion, according to their situation.
In fact, it would be extremely rare for anyone to be denied Holy Communion, even if the person really should not be approaching…so what is this all about?
Something else must be afoot, something else that this would usher in.