Reading the outpourings of grief concerning the Church’s laws regarding marriage and their application to Mr and Mrs Boris Johnson, I think at least two separate issues are being confused – unsurprisingly.

The first issue is the canon law of marriage which, as Fr Timothy Buckley explained in his article (“Is there a way out of the marriage maze?”, 12 June), is very complicated. In my experience most parish priests are unsure or ignorant of important aspects. It needs simplification, and this requires more and better theological understanding. 

The second issue is admission to Holy Communion of people in an “irregular situation” of whatever kind. Canon law clearly provides that every baptised Catholic may and must be admitted to Holy Communion, unless they are too young, have publicly left the Church, have been excommunicated, or are under interdict, or who “obstinately persist in manifest grave sin”. This last provision echoes St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 5 verse 1, where the behaviour he complains of is something that even the pagans wouldn’t do. We must avoid being trigger-happy with this provision, to an extent that neither Our Lord nor St Paul would approve.