In the Light of the Law
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Information on Roman Catholic Canon Law, created and administered by Dr. Edward N. Peters.
In the Light of the Law
3y ago
There was widespread agreement among canonists that Book VI of the 1983 Code, treating Sanctions in the Church (cc. 1311-1399), needed significant reform. Most agreed, I think, that Book VI was adequate for use by bishops who were willing to apply the Church’s penal discipline against canonically criminous behavior (e.g., Abp Burke in St. Louis ..read more
In the Light of the Law
3y ago
These remarks are occasioned by Cdl. Farrell’s recent musings toward, it seems, admitting the Church’s inability to bless the sacramental marriages of same-sex couples but suggesting the possibility of blessing their non-sacramental or civil marriages (?) but, rather than sort through all that, let’s set out some distinctions crucial to discussions of marriage, sacramental and ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
The COVID19 pandemic continues to occasion new canonical questions on a daily basis. But before examining a few more of these, here in regard to Confession, a crucial point should be made. It is very difficult, but nigh-on essential, to avoid speculation on the motives behind various ecclesiastical actions (policies, rulings, etc.) and to focus ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
Since COVID19 left Communist China last month and began its rampage around the world a myriad of issues and problems have been confronting us all. Among these crisis items are a host of canonical questions, questions that arise on a daily, sometimes an hourly, basis and which take almost innumerable forms, often reformulating themselves before ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and (locally observed) holy days of obligation set out in Canons 1246-1248 (see also CCC 2180-2183) is gravely binding in conscience. No reliable commentator disputes this. The Church does not, however, enforce this attendance obligation in the external forum (e.g., Church police do not take attendance at Mass ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
I have read with profit many columns by Dr. Adam DeVille but in his latest essay, “Relieving Rome’s burdens: A proposal for handling abuse cases” (CWR, 10 feb 2020), wherein DeVille suggests “diocesan synods” as the key to addressing clergy sexual misconduct cases, I see several problems. In brief they come down to this: DeVille ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
My thoughts on the recent controversy over the planned use of a Catholic church for an Episcopal ordination of a bishop are available over at First Things, here ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
Dr. Mary McAleese, former president of Ireland and recently minted doctor of canon law (Gregorian, 2018), delivered a speech at Trinity College in Dublin a few weeks back accusing the Catholic Church, per canon law, of ‘at best limiting and at worst eliminating [children’s] fundamental rights to freedom of religion, thought, and conscience.’ McAleese’s theme ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
A few days ago men removed some female figurines (centerpieces for several weird ceremonies in Rome the last few weeks) from a church and tossed them into the Tiber River. Vatican spokesman Paolo Ruffini dismissed the act as a “stunt”. Regardless of how one assess this act, however, I think it not accurate to describe ..read more
In the Light of the Law
4y ago
I have just read Rev. Gero Weishaupt’s essay over at kathnews and a report on that essay at Lifesitenews. I find Weishaupt’s assertions quite soundly argued. In particular, I agree with Weishaupt that the exclusion of women from priestly ordination was declared infallibly by Pope St. John Paul II in Ordinatio sacerdotalis (1994), that such ..read more