in january 2018, the archdiocese of braga, portugal, released guidelines for a process of discernment for divorced and civilly remarried couples who are unable to obtain a declaration of nullity with respect to a prior marriage. jorge ortiga, primate archbishop of braga, explained, "after several steps and a course of a few months, it will ultimately be up to the couple to take the decision before god." while noting that "it is not a matter of granting a general 'authorization' to access the sacraments, but a process of personal discernment", archbishop ortiga said the process of discernment "is likely to culminate in access to the sacraments (reconciliation and communion), but may also be directed towards other forms of greater integration in church's life."