how to find a canon lawyer

How to Find a Canon Lawyer

• §1. The Christian faithful can legitimately vindicate and defend the rights which they possess in the Church in the...
• §2. If they are summoned to a trial by a competent authority, the Christian faithful also have the right to be judged...
• §3. The Christian faithful have the right not to be punished with canonical penalties except according to...

Full Answer

What is a canon lawyer?

A canon lawyer is anyone with significant knowledge about the legal system of the Catholic Church. Most canon lawyers spend 2 or 3 post-college academic years studying canon law, earning therein a licentiate (J.C.L.) degree. Some canonists continue their education and earn a doctoral degree (J.C.L.).

What does it take to become a canon lawyer?

In North America, four out of five canon lawyers are priests, but in recent years the number of religious men and women as well as lay men and women in canon law has been increasing. Considerable theological knowledge is a prerequisite to formal canonical education. Many canon lawyers have advanced degrees in theology.

Can a canon lawyer pronounce on Church doctrine?

Neither the Code of Canon Law, nor the educational regime of canon lawyers, authorizes a canonist, as a canonist, to pronounce on matters of Church doctrine. Canon lawyers are not theologians, moralists, psychologists, pastoral planners, or anything else.

Can a canon lawyer have a degree in theology?

Many canon lawyers have advanced degrees in theology. Still others have advanced degrees in related fields such as Church history or civil law. It is important to remember, however, that these disciplines are distinct from canon law and require different training. This point bears reemphasizing.

Is a canon lawyer a real lawyer?

Lawyers are trained to advise people about how to exercise their rights and to fulfill their obligations in accord with law. Ideally, lawyers help people to avoid legal mistakes in their actions which could prevent them from accomplishing their goals.

What do you call a canon lawyer?

This canons law has principles of legal interpretation, and coercive penalties. It lacks civilly-binding force in most secular jurisdictions. Those who are versed and skilled in canon law, and professors of canon law, are called canonists (or colloquially, canon lawyers).

What does canon lawyer do?

The job of a canon lawyer is to see that the carefully devised rules of Church order are properly understood and applied. Use a canonist, then, to understand better what your basic (and not so basic) ecclesial rights and obligations are in the first place.

Is canon law enforceable?

Catholic Church. In the Catholic Church, canon law is the system of laws and legal principles made and enforced by the church's hierarchical authorities to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the church.

How long is canon law?

In order for a candidate to obtain the licentiate of canon law, he or she must complete a six-semester (two years year-round, three years with summer break), program of canonical studies, pass a comprehensive oral examination before a jury of faculty members, and write a thesis on a particular theme that demonstrates ...

What does canon law say about marriage?

The three ends of marriage, according to Canon law are: first, the procreation of offspring; second, mutual consortiun; third, a remedy for concupiscence. The first end is common to man and animal. But according to Catholic doctrine, the sacrament of matrimony gives an added strength to attain these ends.

What is an example of canon law?

Canon law includes both divine law and ecclesiastical law. Divine law is unchangeable and is applicable to every human being — for example, the law against murder. Ecclesiastical law is rooted in Church law and is not infallible, although it is authoritative — for example, the laws regarding fast and abstinence.

Is canon law above civil law?

A canon law expert testifies that the Catholic Church is hierarchical, and the bishop is the person in the hierarchy authorized to close the Church. No other evidence is presented. The civil law follows canon law.

What are the 5 laws of the church?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997) lists five: to attend Mass on Sundays and Feasts of Obligation; to go to confession (see Penance) at least once a year; to receive Communion during the Easter season; to keep holy the Feasts of Obligation; and to observe the days of fasting and abstinence.

Is breaking canon law a sin?

For the will of God is above Canon Law. Therefore, sometimes the faithful can break Canon Law, without a dispensation and without any clause in the Law giving them discretion, yet without sin or fault. More on this topic in later posts.

Can canon law be changed?

The pope changed canon law to read: “Lay people who have the age and skills determined by decree of the Episcopal Conference, they can be permanently assumed, through the established liturgical rite, to the ministries of lectors and of acolytes; however this contribution does not give them the right to support or to ...

What is the difference between canon law and ecclesiastical law?

Ecclesiastical Law is the body of law derived from canon and civil law and administered by the ecclesiastical courts. Ecclesiastical law governs the doctrine of a specific church, usually, Anglican canon law. Ecclesiastical law is also termed as jus ecclesisasticum or law spiritual.

FOR CLERGY

I assist with the preparation of nullity petitions for your parishioners who approach you for help when seeking clarification of their matrimonial status, and/or other questions pertaining to the matrimonial nullity process (or other processes, such as Ligamen or Pauline Privilege).

FOR LAITY

I can assist you if you are just starting out, or if you have hit a difficult point in the matrimonial nullity ("annulment") process and do not know how to proceed; or if you have decided to appeal a tribunal's decision.

Where to study Canon Law?

If you want to study Canon Law where it is really happening in Canon Law, Rome is the place to go. The only added challenge to study there is the language. As a result, some of the requirements for admittance involve proficiency in Italian, Latin and an unspecified other language at the conversational level. To study in Rome, learning foreign ...

What is the Canon Law exam?

For Canon Law it’s the License Exam which covers all of your studies for three years of classes. The Code of Canon Law. There are more differences than similarities between civil and Canon Law studies though. There are a lot of universities that offer a degree in law.

Can you study film making?

You could study film making or engineering and that would qualify you. The Pontificals just want to make sure you know how to study at that level. Civil and Canon Law both require passing an extremely hard test at the end, before you can practice that law.

Canonical Consultation

If you are in need of advice or expertise in canon law, I am happy to consult with you no matter what your canonical situation or circumstance.

Canonical Representation

I am here to represent your canonical interests, whatever they may be. Whether you have accusations against you, you are being removed from your office as pastor, you are seeking to be laicized, I can provide counsel for these or any other need you may have for representation you may have.

Annulment Services

I provide a variety of services for marriage annulments. I have served as judge, defender of the bond, and as an advocate for those seeking an annulment. I am happy to serve you in whatever role you need.

What should I look for when choosing a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem.

Are there any practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer?

Yes, the lawyer’s area of expertise and prior experience are important. Many states have specialization programs that certify lawyers as specialists in certain types of law.

Where should I start to look for a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Are advertisements a good place to look for a lawyer?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs.

What about a local referral service?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan. What can I expect?

Legal services, like many other things, are often less expensive when bought in bulk. Some employers, labor and credit unions, and other groups have formed “legal insurance” plans. These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters.

I want to hire a lawyer, but I do not have much money. Where can I find low-cost legal help?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income.

Disclaimer

My answer is hardly based upon poor database, wild speculations and extrapolations. If you have access to any of the data I claim to have no access or any other useful data or suggestions for extrapolations, please write a comment.

What is a canon lawyer?

I am not sure what kind of persons you mean when you say "canon lawyer". According to Wikipedia the word "lawyer" is inconsistently used in the English speaking world. As I am from Germany I have no idea in which way the term "canon lawyer" is used.

How many of them are there?

To find out how many canon lawyers exist means to find out how many people got a license in coanon law. The universities know how many graduate with this degree.

Are they enogh?

For the whole world the Congregation for Catholic Education (for Educational Institutions) says: No. In April 2018 the congregation released a new instruction "The Study of Canon Law in light of the Reform of the Matrimonial Process".

Conclusion

Based on public avavible internet sources it is very hard to find any exact number of canon lawyers or needs for them. The first may be easier with the printed yearbooks of the universities and the Vatican. The latter has to remain speculation (but maybe based on better database).