Jurisprudence of Catholic canon law
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The jurisprudence of Catholic canon law is the complex of legal theory, traditions, and interpretative principles of
Catholic canon law The canon law of the Catholic Church ("canon law" comes from Latin ') is "how the Church organizes and governs herself". It is the legal system, system of laws and canon law, ecclesiastical legal principles made and enforced by the Hierarchy of the ...
. In the
Latin Church , native_name_lang = la , image = San Giovanni in Laterano - Rome.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , alt = Façade of the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran , caption = Archbasilica of Saint Joh ...
, the jurisprudence of canon law was founded by
Gratian Gratian (; la, Gratianus; 18 April 359 – 25 August 383) was emperor of the Western Roman Empire from 367 to 383. The eldest son of Valentinian I, Gratian accompanied his father on several campaigns along the Rhine and Danube frontiers and w ...
in the 1140s with his '' Decretum''. In the Eastern Catholic canon law of the
Eastern Catholic Churches The Eastern Catholic Churches or Oriental Catholic Churches, also called the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches, Eastern Rite Catholicism, or simply the Eastern Churches, are 23 Eastern Christian autonomous ('' sui iuris'') particular churches of t ...
,
Photios Photios I ( el, Φώτιος, ''Phōtios''; c. 810/820 – 6 February 893), also spelled PhotiusFr. Justin Taylor, essay "Canon Law in the Age of the Fathers" (published in Jordan Hite, T.O.R., & Daniel J. Ward, O.S.B., "Readings, Cases, Materia ...
holds a place similar to that of Gratian for the West. Much of the legislative style was adapted from that of
Roman Law Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, including the legal developments spanning over a thousand years of jurisprudence, from the Twelve Tables (c. 449 BC), to the '' Corpus Juris Civilis'' (AD 529) ordered by Eastern Roman emperor Ju ...
especially the Justinianic ''
Corpus Juris Civilis The ''Corpus Juris'' (or ''Iuris'') ''Civilis'' ("Body of Civil Law") is the modern name for a collection of fundamental works in jurisprudence, issued from 529 to 534 by order of Justinian I, Byzantine Emperor. It is also sometimes referred ...
''. As a result, Roman ecclesiastical courts tend to follow the
Roman Law Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, including the legal developments spanning over a thousand years of jurisprudence, from the Twelve Tables (c. 449 BC), to the '' Corpus Juris Civilis'' (AD 529) ordered by Eastern Roman emperor Ju ...
style of continental Europe with some variation. After the fall of the Roman Empire and up until the revival of Roman Law in the 11th century, canon law served as the most important unifying force among the local systems in the Civil Law tradition. The canonists introduced into post-Roman Europe the concept of a higher law of ultimate justice, over and above the momentary law of the state. The Catholic Church developed the
inquisitorial system An inquisitorial system is a legal system in which the court, or a part of the court, is actively involved in investigating the facts of the case. This is distinct from an adversarial system, in which the role of the court is primarily that of an ...
in the Middle Ages. This judicial system features collegiate panels of judges and an investigative form of proceeding, in contradistinction to the
adversarial system The adversarial system or adversary system is a legal system used in the common law countries where two advocates represent their parties' case or position before an impartial person or group of people, usually a judge or jury, who attempt to det ...
found in the
common law In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omnipres ...
of
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
and many of her former colonies, which utilises concepts such as juries and single judges. The institutions and practices of canon law paralleled the legal development of much of Europe, and consequently both modern civil law and
common law In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omnipres ...
(canon law having a significant effect upon the development of the system of equity in England) bear the influences of canon law. Edson Luiz Sampel, a Brazilian expert in canon law, says that canon law is contained in the genesis of various institutes of civil law, such as the law in continental Europe and Latin American countries. Sampel explains that canon law has significant influence in contemporary society.


Sources of law

The term source or fountain of canon law (''fons juris canonici'') may be taken in a twofold sense: a) as the formal cause of the existence of a law, and in this sense we speak of the ''fontes essendi'' (
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: "sources of being") of canon law or lawgivers; b) as the material channel through which laws are handed down and made known, and in this sense the sources are styled ''fontes cognoscendi'' (
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: "sources of knowing"), or depositaries, like sources of history.A COMMENTARY ON THE NEW CODE OF CANON LAW
BY THE REV. P. CHAS. AUGUSTINE O.S.B., D.D., ''Volume I: Introduction and General Rules (can. 1-86), SECOND EDITION'' (St. Louis: B. HERDER BOOK CO., 1918).


''Fontes essendi''

The ''fontes essendi'' (
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: "sources of being") include the following legislators: *Jesus Christ, whom the Catholic Church believes to be her divine founder, is the original source of divine laws laid down chiefly in the Constitution of the Church, and next to Him the Apostles as lawgivers either of divine or human laws, viz.: as inspired or merely human instruments. *The Roman Pontiff, either alone or in unison with a general council, as endowed with the supreme and ordinary power of enacting laws for the universal church. *The Bishops for their respective particular churches, unless competency is reserved to another authority, such as the bishops' conference or the
Holy See The Holy See ( lat, Sancta Sedes, ; it, Santa Sede ), also called the See of Rome, Petrine See or Apostolic See, is the jurisdiction of the Pope in his role as the bishop of Rome. It includes the apostolic episcopal see of the Diocese of R ...
. Customs, too, must be considered as a source of law, universal as well as particular. Whether the natural law can be called a source of Canon Law depends on the formal declaration of the supreme authority and through '' determinationes''; for the natural law as such — its extent is very uncertain — cannot be called a homogeneous source of Canon Law except it has been declared such by the highest authority.J. Laurentius, S.J, Institutiones Juris Bed., 1903, p. 9; that the natural law should be cautiously used in Canon Law. Schenkl, I. c- t 37, justly remarks Besides its range being very uncertain, the rightfully called natural law is an objective sentiment, or a dictate of reason.


''Fontes cognoscendi''

The ''fontes cognoscendi'' (
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: "sources of knowing") are depositaries in which we find collected the laws enacted in the course of centuries. They may also be considered as the channels through which the river and rivulets of legal enactment flow and are preserved. They do not constitute the law as such, but rather point out where it may be found. Among these sources are Holy Scripture and the decrees of popes and councils; also, in a measure,
custom Custom, customary, or consuetudinary may refer to: Traditions, laws, and religion * Convention (norm), a set of agreed, stipulated or generally accepted rules, norms, standards or criteria, often taking the form of a custom * Norm (social), a r ...
, inasmuch, namely, as it proves the existence and continuity of laws unwritten and perhaps forgotten.


''Jus vigens''

The term ''jus vigens'' (
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: "living law") means all the currently-in-effect laws of the church, primarily the
1983 Code of Canon Law The 1983 ''Code of Canon Law'' (abbreviated 1983 CIC from its Latin title ''Codex Iuris Canonici''), also called the Johanno-Pauline Code, is the "fundamental body of ecclesiastical laws for the Latin Church". It is the second and current comp ...
,Dr. Edward Peters
CanonLaw.info
accessed June-9-2013
the
Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches The ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'' (CCEC; la, Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, abbreviated CCEO) is the title of the 1990 codification of the common portions of the canon law for the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic ...
, and ''
Pastor Bonus ''Pastor bonus'' (Latin: "The Good Shepherd") is an apostolic constitution promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 28 June 1988. It instituted a number of reforms in the process of running the central government of the Catholic Church. The docume ...
.'' In the apostolic constitution ''Sacri Canones'', by means of which he promulgated the ''
Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches The ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'' (CCEC; la, Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, abbreviated CCEO) is the title of the 1990 codification of the common portions of the canon law for the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic ...
'',
Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...
stated Other sources include apostolic constitutions, ''motibus propriis'', and particular law.


Codes of canon law


Custom

Custom Custom, customary, or consuetudinary may refer to: Traditions, laws, and religion * Convention (norm), a set of agreed, stipulated or generally accepted rules, norms, standards or criteria, often taking the form of a custom * Norm (social), a r ...
in
Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
is the repeated and constant performance of certain acts for a defined period of time, which, with the approval of the competent legislator, thereby acquire the force of law.Metz, ''What is Canon Law?'', pg. 39 A custom is, in other words, an unwritten law introduced by the continuous acts of the faithful with the consent of the legitimate legislator. Custom may be considered as a fact and as a law. As a fact, it is simply the frequent and free repetition of acts concerning the same thing; as a law, it is the result and consequence of that fact. Hence its name, which is derived from ''consuesco'' or ''consuefacio'' and denotes the frequency of the action.(Cap. Consuetudo v, Dist. I.) In order for custom to become a source of law, it must be approved by the competent legislator. Custom in canon law is not simply created by the people through their constant performance of a certain act, but it is the constant performance of a certain act with the intention of making a custom, which is approved by the competent legislator, thereby acquiring the force of law. This is because of the Catholic ecclesiological teaching on the constitution of the Catholic Church, which states that Christ constituted the Church by divine delegation of power to the hierarchical authorities; the Church was not created by the
consent of the governed In political philosophy, the phrase consent of the governed refers to the idea that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when consented to by the people or society over which that political pow ...
, but by the direct will of Christ.


Decrees

A decree (
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: decretum, from ''decerno'', "I judge") is, in a general sense, an order or law made by a superior authority for the direction of others. In the usage of the
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
of the
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, it has various meanings. Any papal Bull,
Brief Brief, briefs, or briefing may refer to: Documents * A letter * A briefing note * Papal brief, a papal letter less formal than a bull, sealed with the pope's signet ring or stamped with the device borne on this ring * Design brief, a type of ed ...
, or
Motu Proprio In law, ''motu proprio'' (Latin for "on his own impulse") describes an official act taken without a formal request from another party. Some jurisdictions use the term ''sua sponte'' for the same concept. In Catholic canon law, it refers to a ...
is a decree inasmuch as these documents are legislative acts of the
Pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
. In this sense the term is quite ancient.
Pope Siricius Pope Siricius (334 – 26 November 399) was the bishop of Rome from December 384 to his death. In response to inquiries from Bishop Himerius of Tarragona, Siricius issued the ''Directa'' decretal, containing decrees of baptism, church discipline ...
speaks (Ep. i, ad Himer., c. ii) of the ''decreta generalia'' of Pope Liberius.
The
Roman Congregations In the Roman Curia, a congregation ( lat, Sacræ Cardinalium Congregationes) is a type of department of the Curia. They are second-highest-ranking departments, ranking below the two Secretariats, and above the pontifical councils, pontifical co ...
were formerly empowered to issue decrees in matters which come under their particular jurisdiction, but were forbidden from continuing to do so under
Pope Benedict XV Pope Benedict XV (Latin: ''Benedictus XV''; it, Benedetto XV), born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, name=, group= (; 21 November 185422 January 1922), was head of the Catholic Church from 1914 until his death in January 1922. His ...
in 1917. Each
ecclesiastical province An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian Churches with traditional hierarchical structure, including Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity. In general, an ecclesiastical province consists of seve ...
, and also each
diocese In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associa ...
, may issue decrees in their periodical synods within their sphere of authority.


''Motu proprio''

A ''motu proprio'' is a document issued by the
Pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
on his own initiative and personally signed by him.Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University Press 2005 ), s.v. motu proprio A ''motu proprio'' may be addressed to the whole Church, to part of it, or to some individuals. A document issued ''motu proprio'' has its legal effect even if the reasons given for its issuance are found to be false or fraudulent, a fact which would normally render the document invalid. Its validity is based on its issuance by the pope by his own initiative, not upon the reasons alleged. The first ''motu proprio'' was
promulgated Promulgation is the formal proclamation or the declaration that a new statutory or administrative law is enacted after its final approval. In some jurisdictions, this additional step is necessary before the law can take effect. After a new law ...
by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. It continues to be a common form of
Papal rescripts Papal rescripts are responses of the pope or a Congregation of the Roman Curia, in writing, to queries or petitions of individuals. Some rescripts concern the granting of favours; others the administration of justice under canon law, e. g. the i ...
, especially when establishing institutions, making minor changes to law or procedure, and when granting favours to persons or institutions.


Apostolic constitutions

An apostolic constitution is the highest level of
decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state (such as the president of a republic or a monarch), according to certain procedures (usually established in a constitution). It has the force of law. The particular term used ...
issued by the
Pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
. The use of the term ''
constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these princ ...
'' comes from
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
''constitutio'', which referred to any important law issued by the Roman emperor, and is retained in church documents because of the inheritance that
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
received from
Roman law Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, including the legal developments spanning over a thousand years of jurisprudence, from the Twelve Tables (c. 449 BC), to the '' Corpus Juris Civilis'' (AD 529) ordered by Eastern Roman emperor Ju ...
. By their nature, apostolic constitutions are addressed to the public. Generic constitutions use the title ''apostolic constitution'', and treat on solemn matters of the church, such as the promulgation of laws or definitive teachings. The forms ''dogmatic constitution'' and ''pastoral constitution'' are titles sometimes used to be more descriptive as to the document's purpose. Apostolic constitutions are issued as papal bulls because of their solemn, public form.


Language of canon law


Translation of Latin originals

In general, the
Holy See The Holy See ( lat, Sancta Sedes, ; it, Santa Sede ), also called the See of Rome, Petrine See or Apostolic See, is the jurisdiction of the Pope in his role as the bishop of Rome. It includes the apostolic episcopal see of the Diocese of R ...
does not give its assent to translations of the
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
originals (so-called "'authentic' translations"); the Holy See is content to publish the Latin alone, as Latin is the official language of canon law.Coriden, James A., ''et al.'', ''The Code of Canon Law: A Text and Commentary'', pg. 30 (commentary on Canon 8).


''Lex'' and ''jus''

Canon law incorporates two main terms that are translated in English as "law": ''lex'' and ''jus'' (or ''ius''). Various canonical texts use one or both of the terms in varying contexts.


''Jus''

In the Canon Law of the
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, ius refers to custom, practice or "Tradition." The early law of the Church, especially prior to the
First Council of Nicaea The First Council of Nicaea (; grc, Νίκαια ) was a council of Christian bishops convened in the Bithynian city of Nicaea (now İznik, Turkey) by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325. This ecumenical council was the first effort ...
in 325 AD, was largely unwritten, at least in the form of law, but existed in the practices, customs and teachings of the early Christian community. What largely was communicated generation to generation was an oral tradition passed from the apostles to the Bishops, and from Bishops and priests to the faithful through their preaching and way of life. Some of what is included in the term ''ius'' would be interpretations of particular scriptural passages, theological understandings of the liturgy and liturgical practices themselves. Evidence for the content of this oral tradition of teaching is found among the writings of the Early Church Fathers as well as in the later legislation of the Church or ''
lex Lex or LEX may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Lex'', a daily featured column in the ''Financial Times'' Games * Lex, the mascot of the word-forming puzzle video game ''Bookworm'' * Lex, the protagonist of the word-forming puzzle video ga ...
''. ''Ius'' is typically understood in contradistinction to ''lex''. The Early Church, which existed more or less under persecution in the
Roman Empire The Roman Empire ( la, Imperium Romanum ; grc-gre, Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων, Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn) was the post- Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it included large territorial holdings around the Mediter ...
prior to
Constantine I Constantine I ( , ; la, Flavius Valerius Constantinus, ; ; 27 February 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337, the first one to Constantine the Great and Christianity, convert to Christiani ...
in the early fourth century, was not in a position to gather large councils for the purpose of legislation or theological clarification prior to 325 AD. Laws formalized as ''lex'' after 325 AD are sometimes falsely interpreted as having a "new" content. This is usually not the case. Most Church legislation is either a development of prior teaching, or practice or re-affirmation of teaching or practice, unless otherwise expressly stated.


''Lex''

''Lex'' is
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
for one sense of the English term, law. In the Canon Law of the
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, ''lex'' refers to law which has been formulated in written form and promulgated by competent authority. While this is the usual sense of "law" in modern legal systems, the legal system of the Catholic Church includes another form of law, ''ius'', which refers to the oral teachings, practices, customs, theological understandings of liturgy and liturgical practices generally prior to the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, when written legislation became the normative means of communicating Church law. "Lex" takes several forms: :*Decrees or canons of
ecumenical council An ecumenical council, also called general council, is a meeting of bishops and other church authorities to consider and rule on questions of Christian doctrine, administration, discipline, and other matters in which those entitled to vote ar ...
s. :*Decrees or canons of regional Church councils or synods (regionally binding) :*Decrees (or decretals) of the Pope. :*Canon Law (binding either universally or by rite) It is important to understand that much of Church legislation (unless otherwise stated) is either a development of earlier law or a restatement of earlier law, particularly law contained in the oral tradition from apostolic teaching, or ''ius''.


Principles of law


Dispensation

In the
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
of the
Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, a dispensation is the exemption from the immediate obligation of law in certain cases.The Law of Christ Vol. I, pg. 284 Its object is to modify the hardship often arising from the rigorous application of general laws to particular cases, and its essence is to preserve the law by suspending its operation in such cases. Since
law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...
s aimed at the good of the entire community may not be suitable for certain cases or persons, the
legislator A legislator (also known as a deputy or lawmaker) is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are often elected by the people of the state. Legislatures may be supra-national (for ex ...
has the right (sometimes even the duty) to dispense from the
law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...
. Dispensation is not a permanent power or a special right as in privilege. If the reason for the dispensation ceases entirely, then the dispensation also ceases entirely.The Law of Christ Vol. I, pg. 285 If the immediate basis for the right is withdrawn, then the right ceases. In
canonical The adjective canonical is applied in many contexts to mean "according to the canon" the standard, rule or primary source that is accepted as authoritative for the body of knowledge or literature in that context. In mathematics, "canonical examp ...
jurisprudence Jurisprudence, or legal theory, is the theoretical study of the propriety of law. Scholars of jurisprudence seek to explain the nature of law in its most general form and they also seek to achieve a deeper understanding of legal reasoning a ...
, the dispensing power is the corollary of the
legislative A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government. Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known ...
. In the
decretal Decretals ( la, litterae decretales) are letters of a pope that formulate decisions in ecclesiastical law of the Catholic Church.McGurk. ''Dictionary of Medieval Terms''. p. 10 They are generally given in answer to consultations but are sometimes ...
''Proposuit'', Innocent III proclaimed that the pope could, if circumstances demanded, dispense from
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
, ''de jure'', with his plenitude of power, basing his view on the principle ''princeps legibus solutus est'' (the prince is not bound by the laws). The power of dispensing lies with the original lawgiver, with his successors or with his superiors, and with those persons to whom they have delegated this right. Such a dispensation is not, strictly speaking, legislative, but rather a
judicial The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law ...
, quasi-judicial or executive act. It is also, of course, subject to the ''proviso'' that his
jurisdiction Jurisdiction (from Latin 'law' + 'declaration') is the legal term for the legal authority granted to a legal entity to enact justice. In federations like the United States, areas of jurisdiction apply to local, state, and federal levels. J ...
to dispense with laws was limited to those laws which were within his jurisdiction or competence. Since there is no superior above the pope, he can therefore dispense from all canonical laws: universal laws introduced by himself, his predecessors or general councils, and particular laws enacted by plenary and provincial councils, bishops and similar prelates. The pope can dispense from canon law in all cases that are not contrary to Divine law – except in the case of vows, espousals and marriages ''
ratum sed non consummatum The term ''ratum sed non consummatum'' ( la, ratified but not consummated) or ''ratum et non consummatum'' ( la, ratified and not consummated) refers to a juridical-sacramental category of marriage in Catholic matrimonial canon law. If a matrimon ...
'', or valid and consummated marriages of neophytes before baptism. In doubtful cases, however, he may decide authoritatively as to the objective value of the doubt. As a general rule the
pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
delegates his powers to the various congregations of the Roman Curia which are charged with granting dispensations in matters within the sphere of their competence."What is Canon Law?" pg. 47 There must be a "just and reasonable cause" for granting a dispensation. The judgement regarding what is "just and reasonable" is made based upon the particular situation and the importance of the law to be dispensed from. If the cause is not "just and reasonable" then the dispensation is illegal and, if issued by someone other than the lawgiver of the law in question or his superior, it is also invalid.Canon 90 §1
1983 Code of Canon Law; accessed June-5-2013
If it is uncertain as to whether a sufficiently "just and reasonable cause" exists, the dispensation is both legal and valid. Some clauses of the dispensation rescript can constitute conditions ''sine quâ non'' for the validity of the dispensation.


Matrimonial dispensation

A matrimonial dispensation is the relaxation in a particular case of an
impediment An obstacle (also called a barrier, impediment, or stumbling block) is an object, thing, action or situation that causes an obstruction. Different types of obstacles include physical, economic, biopsychosocial, cultural, political, technologica ...
prohibiting or annulling a marriage. Matrimonial dispensations can be either to allow a marriage in the first place, or to dissolve one. It may be granted: (a) in favour of a contemplated marriage or to legitimize one already contracted; (b) in secret cases, or in public cases, or in both; (c) ''in foro interno'' only, or ''in foro externo'' (the latter includes also the former). Power of dispensing ''in foro interno'' is not always restricted to secret cases (''casus occulti''). These expressions are by no means identical. When a matrimonial impediment is common to both parties the bishop, in dispensing his own subject, dispenses also the other. By virtue of his power of jurisdiction,The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia original text says "By virtue of their iocesan bishopsordinary power (Jurisdiction)". Canon law has traditionally distinguished between the "Power of Order" and the "Power of Jurisdiction". a
bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is c ...
can dispense from those prohibent impediments of ecclesiastical law which are not reserved to the pope, and even from such reserved impediments under certain conditions. He may also, under certain conditions, dispense from
diriment impediment In the canon law of the Catholic Church, an impediment is a legal obstacle that prevents a sacrament from being performed either validly or licitly or both. The term is used most frequently in relationship to the sacraments of Marriage and Holy ...
s. Sufficient causes for matrimonial dispensations are divided into canonical causes, i. e. classified and held as sufficient by the common law and canonical jurisprudence, and reasonable causes, i. e. not provided for nominally in the law, but deserving of equitable consideration in view of circumstances or particular cases.


Matrimonial nullity


Promulgation

Promulgation is the act by which the legislator manifests to those subject to his jurisdiction the decision that he has made and makes known to them his intention to bind them to the observance of his law.Metz, René. ''What is Canon Law?'', pg. 41. Without having been promulgated, the canonical law in question has no legal effect, since promulgation is "an essential factor of legislation" and "an absolute condition for the effectiveness of a law". Philosophically it is a matter of dispute whether promulgation is of the essence of a law.The nature of promulgation in its relation to the nature of canon law is a matter of discussion among canonical writers. Some canonists hold that promulgation as such "enters the very essence of the law", (Abbo & Hannan, ''The Sacred Canons Vol. I'', pg. 16) while Abbo & Hannan hold what they assert to be "the more probable opinion that promulgation is merely an extrinsic essential condition ''sine qua non''."(''The Sacred Canons Vol. I'', pg. 16) It seems indisputable that the essential element of a law is the will of the legislator, but it is clear that the legislator should make known his will and intention in one way or another. This manifestation is the promulgation of the law, which is not necessarily distinct from the very elaboration of the law, provided that this takes place by external acts. Once promulgation takes place, a canonical law acquires its last "essential condition" and takes immediate effect,Abbo & Hannan, ''Sacred Canons'', pg. 16 (commentary on canon 8, 1917 CIC) subject to the '' vacatio legis'' imposed by universal law, or by the particular legislator issuing a law (see section below). Promulgation is a "formal and fundamental element" of canon law. For the purposes of canonical jurisprudence, promulgation is equivalent to publication,Della Rocca, Fernando. ''Manual of Canon Law'', pg. 70. although the promulgation of a law must not be confounded with its publication, the object of the first being to make known the will of the legislator, of the second to spread the knowledge of legislative enactments among subjects bound to observe them.


Revocation

The act of recalling or annulling, the reversal of an act, the recalling of a grant, or the making void of some deed previously existing. This term is of wide application in canon law. Grants, laws, contracts, sentences, jurisdiction, appointments are at times revoked by the grantor, his successor or superior according to the prescriptions of law. Revocation without just cause is illicit, though often valid. Laws and customs are revoked when, owing to change of circumstances, they cease to be just and reasonable. Concordats (q.v.) are revocable when they redound to the serious injury of the Church. Minors and ecclesiastical institutions may have sentences in certain civil trials set aside (Restitutio in integrum). Contracts by which ecclesiastical property is alienated are sometimes rescindable. A judge may revoke his own interlocutory sentence but not a definitive judicial sentence. Many appointments are revocable at will; others require a judicial trial or other formalities.


''Vacatio legis''

In principle, a law becomes binding from the time of its promulgation. But because there are often reasons that the immediate efficacy of a law would be detrimental to those upon whom it enjoins, the legislator often orders a delay—''vacatio''—in the law's applicability. In Latin canon law, the ''vacatio legis'' is three calendar months after promulgation for universal laws,De Meester, ''Juris Canonici Compendium'', v. 1, pg. 176.Canon 8 §1,
1983 Code of Canon Law The 1983 ''Code of Canon Law'' (abbreviated 1983 CIC from its Latin title ''Codex Iuris Canonici''), also called the Johanno-Pauline Code, is the "fundamental body of ecclesiastical laws for the Latin Church". It is the second and current comp ...
and one calendar month after promulgation for particular laws, unless the law itself establishes a longer or shorter period of time. The legislator of the law can stipulate a longer or shorter time of '' vacatio'' than that which is stipulated generally.


Valid but illicit

The term "valid but illicit" (or "valid but illegal") refers to an unauthorized celebration of a sacrament or the placement of a juridic act which does not follow non-essential things commanded by the law, but that nevertheless has effect. While validity is presumed whenever an act is placed "by a qualified person and includes those things which essentially constitute the act itself as well as the formalities and requirements imposed by law for the validity of the act", Roman Catholic
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
also lays down rules for lawful placing of the act.


Principles of legal interpretation

Canonists have formulated interpretive rules for the proper interpretation of canonical laws. An authentic interpretation is an official interpretation of a statute issued by the statute's
legislator A legislator (also known as a deputy or lawmaker) is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are often elected by the people of the state. Legislatures may be supra-national (for ex ...
. An authentic interpretation has the force of law.


Authentic interpretation

Besides the Pope, who has plenary legislative power, there are several other legislative authorities in the Roman Catholic Church with varying degrees of particular legislative power. Primary examples are diocesan bishops and their equivalents, episcopal conferences, and particular councils. Any of these
legislator A legislator (also known as a deputy or lawmaker) is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are often elected by the people of the state. Legislatures may be supra-national (for ex ...
s can issue authentic interpretations of their laws and their predecessor's laws. Legislators also can entrust the power to authentically interpret their own laws to someone else. For the
1983 Code of Canon Law The 1983 ''Code of Canon Law'' (abbreviated 1983 CIC from its Latin title ''Codex Iuris Canonici''), also called the Johanno-Pauline Code, is the "fundamental body of ecclesiastical laws for the Latin Church". It is the second and current comp ...
, the
Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches The ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'' (CCEC; la, Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, abbreviated CCEO) is the title of the 1990 codification of the common portions of the canon law for the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic ...
, and other papal laws, the
pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
has delegated the authority to issue authentic interpretations to the
Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts The Dicastery for Legislative Texts, formerly named Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, is a dicastery of the Roman Curia. It is distinct from the highest tribunal or court in the Church, which is the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Sig ...
.


Magisterial interpretation

When it is not possible for a law to be authentically interpreted, recourse must be had to what is called magisterial, or doctrinal, interpretation, for which rules of law have been formulated. The words of a law must be understood according to their usual signification, unless it is certain that the legislator intended them to be taken in another sense, or the rules of law dictate another interpretation. In all interpretations, however, the meaning of the words is to be preferred which favours equity rather than strict
justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...
. The provisions of a previous statute are not presumed to be changed beyond the express meaning of the words of a new law. No words of a law are ever presumed to be superfluous. In interpreting a law the words must be considered in their context. When the words of a law are doubtful the presumption is in favour of the subjects, not of the lawgiver.


Derogation

Derogation is the partial suppression of a law,Manual of Canon Law, pg. 69 as opposed to abrogation—total abolition of a law by explicit
repeal A repeal (O.F. ''rapel'', modern ''rappel'', from ''rapeler'', ''rappeler'', revoke, ''re'' and ''appeler'', appeal) is the removal or reversal of a law. There are two basic types of repeal; a repeal with a re-enactment is used to replace the law ...
—and
obrogation In civil law, obrogation (Latin: ''obrogat'' from ''obrogare'') is the modification or repeal of a law in whole or in part by issuing a new law. In canon law, of the Catholic Church, obrogation is the enacting of a contrary law that is a revocatio ...
—the partial or total modification or repeal of a law by the imposition of a later and contrary one. Derogation differs from dispensation in that it affects ''everyone'', whereas dispensation applies to ''specific'' people affected by the law.


Obrogation

Obrogation is a term in the jurisprudence of
canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...
that refers to the enacting of a contrary law that is a revocation of a previous law. It may also be the partial cancellation or amendment of a law, decree, or legal regulation by the imposition of a newer one. Obrogation should not be confused with ''abrogation'', which is the explicit repeal of a law, in whole or in part.


Computation of time

Months are computed according to the calendar from the date of publication. A "canonical month" (in contradistinction to a "calendar month") is a period of 30 days,Canon 202 §1,
1983 Code of Canon Law The 1983 ''Code of Canon Law'' (abbreviated 1983 CIC from its Latin title ''Codex Iuris Canonici''), also called the Johanno-Pauline Code, is the "fundamental body of ecclesiastical laws for the Latin Church". It is the second and current comp ...
while a "calendar month" is a continuous month. The '' vacatio legis'' is computed according to the calendar; for example, if a law is promulgated on 2 November, and the ''vacatio legis'' is 3 months, then the law takes effect on 2 February. So a universal law has a '' vacatio legis'' of approximately 90 days—3 months taken according to the calendar—while a particular law has a ''vacatio legis'' of approximately 30 days—1 month taken according to the calendar—unless specified to the contrary.


References


Notes


Bibliography

*Abbo, John A., and Jerome D. Hannan, ''The Sacred Canons: A Concise Presentation of the Current Disciplinary Norms of the Church, Volume I (Canons 1-869 917 CIC'' (St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co., 1952). *Beal, John P., James A. Coriden, & Thomas J. Green. ''New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law''. New York: Paulist Press, 2000. *''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, Latin-English Edition, New English Translation'' (Canon Law Society of America, 2001).
''1983 Code of Canon Law''
The IntraText Digital Library *Canon L. Socy. Gr. Brit. & Ir., ''The Canon Law Letter and Spirit: A Practical Guide to the Code of Canon Law'' (Gerard Sheehy ''et al.'' eds., Liturgical Press 1995). *Coriden, James A. ''An Introduction to Canon Law'', revised edn. New York: Paulist Press, 2004. *Coriden, James A., Thomas J. Green, Donald E. Heintschel, eds. '' The Code of Canon Law: A Text and Commentary''. New York: Paulist Press, 1985. Commissioned by the Canon Law Society of America. *De Agar, Joseph T. Martin. ''A Handbook on Canon Law'', 2nd edn. Midwest Theological Forum, 2007. *Della Rocca, Fernando. ''Manual of Canon Law'' (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1959). Translated by the Rev. Anselm Thatcher, O.S.B. *De Meester, A. ''Juris Canonici et Juris Canonico-Civilis Compendium: Nova Editio, Ad Normam Codicis Juris Canonici—Tomus Primus'' (Brugis: Societatis Sancti Augustini, 1921). *Häring, Bernard, C.SS.R. ''The Law of Christ, Volume I: General Moral Theology''. Trans. by Edwin G. Kaiser, C.PP.S. Westminster, Maryland: The Newman Press, 1961. *Huels, John M. ''The Pastoral Companion: A Canon Law Handbook for Catholic Ministry'', 5th edn. Midwest Theological Forum, 2016. *Metz, René. ''What is Canon Law?'' (New York: Hawthorn Books, 1960). Translated from the French by Michael Derrick. *Spiteri, Msgr. Laurence J. ''Canon Law Explained: A Handbook for Laymen'', rev'd & updated edn. Sophia Institute Press, 2014. *Taylor, Fr. Justin. ''Canon Law in the Age of the Fathers'' (paper published in Jordan Hite, T.O.R., & Daniel J. Ward, O.S.B., "Readings, Cases, Materials in Canon Law: A Textbook for Ministerial Students, Revised Edition" (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1990). *'' 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica'' *.
I. Dispensations in General:
SUAREZ, ''De legibus'' (Naples, 1882), Bk. VI, x sqq., and ''Opera Omnia'' (Paris, 1856), VI; PYRRHUS CORRADIUS, ''Praxis dispensationum apostolicarum'' (Venice, 1699); KONINGS-PUTZER, ''Commentarium in facultates apostolicas'' (New York, 1898), pt. I; the commentators on the Decretals, especially SCHMALZGRUEBER, ''Jus ecclesiasticum universale'' (Rome, 1843), Bk. I. tit. ii; WERNZ, ''Jus decretalium'' (Rome, 1905), I, tit. iv, 138; VON SCHERER, ''Handbuch des Kirchenrechts'' (Graz, 1898), I, 172; HINSCHIUS. ''System d. kath. Kirchenr.'' (Berlin, 1869), I. 744, 789; the moral theologies, under the treatise ''De legibus'', particularly ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, ''Theologia Moralis'' (Rome, 1905), I, iv, Dub. 4; D'ANNIBALE, ''Summula Theologiœ Moralis'' (Rome, 1908), I, tr. iii, 220; BALLERINI, ''Opus Morale'' (Prato, 1889), I, 363; OJETTI, ''Synopsis rerum moralium et juris pontificii'' (Rome, 1904), s. v. ''Dispensatio;'' THOMASSIN, ''Ancienne et nouvelle discipline de l'Eglise touchant les bénéfices'' (Paris, 1725), II, p. II, 1, 3, xxiv-xxix; STIEGLER, ''Dispensation, Dispensationwesen, und Dispensationsrecht'' in his ''Kirchenrecht'' (Mainz, 1901). I, and in ''Archiv f. kath. Kirchenr.,'' LXXVII, 3; FIEBAG, ''De indole ac virtute dispensationum secundum principia jur. canonici'' (Breslau, 1867).

II. Matrimonial Dispensations:
PYRRHUS CORRADIUS, ''op. cit.;'' DE JUSTIS, ''De dispens. matrim.'' (Venice, 1769); GIOVINE, ''De dispens. matrim.'' (Naples, 1863); PLANCHARD, ''Dispenses matrim.'' (Angoulème, 1882); FEIJE, ''De imped. et dispens. matrim.'' (Louvain, 1885); ZITELLI, ''De dispens. matrim.'' (Rome, 1887); VAN DE BURGT, ''De dispens. matrim.'' (Bois-le-Duc, 1865); POMPEN, ''De dispens. et revalidatione matrim.'' (Amsterdam, 1897); ROUSSET, ''De sacramento matrimonii'' (Saint-Jean de Maurienne, 1895), IV, 231; KONINGS-PUTZER, ''Op. cit.,'' 174 sqq., 376 sqq.; SANCHEZ, ''De s. matrimonii sacramento'' (Viterbo, 1739), Bk. VIII; GASPARRI, ''Tract. canonicus de matrimonio'' (Paris, 1892), I, iv, 186; MANSELLA, ''De imped. matrim.'' (Rome, 1881), 162; LEITNER, ''Lehrb. des kath. Eherechts'' (Paderborn, 1902), 401; SCHNITZER, ''Kath. Eherecht'' (Freiburg, 1898), 496; SANTILEITNER, ''Prœlectiones juris canonici'' (Ratisbon, 1899), IV, appendix I; WERNZ, ''Jus Decretalium'' (Rome, 1908), IV, tit. xxix FREISEN ''Geschichte des kanon. Eherechts bis zum Verfall der Glossenlitteratur'' (Tübingen, 1888), and in ''Archiv für kath. Kirchenr.,'' LXXVII, 3 sqq., and LXXVIII, 91; ESMEIN, ''Le mariage en droit canonique'' (Paris, 1891), II, 315; ZHISMAN, ''Das Eherecht der orient. Kirche'' (Vienna, 1864), 190, 712.
*ZACCARIA, ''De varis eccles. præsertim latinæ in promulgandis sacris constitutionibus disciplina'' in ''De rebus ad historiam atque antiquitates ecclesiæ pertinentibus dissertationes latinæ,'' II (Fulginia, 1781), xi; BOUIX, ''De principiis juris canonici'' (Paris, 1852), 196 sq.; BOUQUILLON, ''Theol. moral. fundamentalis'' (Brussels, 1890), 270 sq.; CREAGH, ''The Promulgation of Pontifical Law'' in ''Cath. Univ. Bull.,'' XV (Washington, 1907), 23 sq.; SIMIER, ''La promulgation des lois ecclés.'' in ''Revue augustinienne,'' XV (Louvain, 1909), 154 sq. * {{Use dmy dates, date=March 2017 * *