what is a canon lawyer in catholic church

by Billy Gorczany 8 min read

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.).

Full Answer

What is a canon law attorney?

What is a Canon Lawyer? With the Church’s internal legal system comes the need for people trained to function within this system. This is where canon lawyers, also known as canonists, come in. Typically, a canonist is one who has graduated from a three-year program of studies with a pontifical faculty of canon law approved by the Holy See.

What is church canon law?

Canon law (from Ancient Greek: κανών, kanon, 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 the internal ecclesiastical law, or operational policy, governing the Catholic Church (both the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic ...

What is the canon law of the Catholic Church?

The canon law of the Catholic Church is articulated in the legal code for the Latin Church as well as a code for the Eastern Catholic Churches. This canons law has principles of legal interpretation, and coercive penalties. It lacks civilly-binding force in most secular jurisdictions.

What are the canon laws?

Church law was pluralistic in many senses. Many people used it: the local priest; abbots and monks; the bishop, both in teaching and in administering episcopal courts; and councils, sometimes with popes and emperors present. The remarkable number of canon law manuscripts from this period attests to the considerable local interest in canon law.

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What does a canon lawyer do in the Catholic Church?

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 a canon lawyer a real lawyer?

(Iuris Canonici Doctor, Doctor of Canon Law), and those with a J.C.L. or higher are usually called "canonists" or "canon lawyers". Because of its specialized nature, advanced degrees in civil law or theology are normal prerequisites for the study of canon law.

How does a priest become a canon lawyer?

The usual prerequisites for a licence in canon law are that a candidate must have the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree (STB), Master of Divinity degree (M. Div.), Master of Arts (MA) degree in Roman Catholic theology, or Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a bachelor's degree in canon law (JCB) or its relative equivalent.

What is the canon law in Christianity?

Canon law refers to the body of ecclesiastical law that developed within Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, governing the internal hierarchy and administration of the church.

How do you address a Catholic canon?

For a canon, address it to The Reverend Canon (Last name), and for a vicar or dean, address it to The Very Reverend (First name) (Last name).

How do you become a canon in the Catholic Church?

It is usually awarded in recognition of long and dedicated service to the diocese. Honorary canons are members of the chapter in name but are non-residential and receive no emoluments. They are entitled to call themselves canon and may have a role in the administration of the cathedral.

What does STL mean after a priest's name?

Licentiate in Sacred TheologyThe Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) is a two-year Roman Catholic ecclesiastical degree in advanced theological study which gives students two full years of study beyond the Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree.

How long does it take to study canon law?

Course Description The duration of this cycle is six semesters or three years, and ends with the conferment of the degree of Licentiate in Canon Law.

What degree do you need to be a priest?

For the most part, priests are required to have a bachelor's degree. The degree doesn't need to have a spiritual affiliation, but studying philosophy, theology and religion can help. In addition, priests attend seminary for four years (five years if they haven't yet studied philosophy).

What are examples of Canon Law?

Canon law deals with all the issues that any legal system does — for example, rights, property issues, procedures, administration, personnel, crimes and trials. It also does some things that civil law cannot, such as laws regarding sacraments, sacred places and magisterial teachings.

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.

Why is it called Canon Law?

Canon law (from Ancient Greek: κανών, kanon, 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.

What is a canon of the Catholic Church?

A canon is a member of the chapter of (for the most part) priests, headed by a dean, which is responsible for administering a cathedral or certain other churches that are styled collegiate churches. The dean and chapter are the formal body which has legal responsibility for the cathedral and for electing the bishop.

What is an example of Canon Law?

Canon law covers such things as the process of religious service, criteria for baptism, funerals, prohibited conduct, church property, and internal boards which have jurisdiction over Church matters (ecclesiastic courts). The Roman Catholic Church has a Code of Canon Law. A sample: “Canon 1397.

What is the Canon Law in Christianity?

Canon law, Latin jus canonicum, body of laws made within certain Christian churches (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, independent churches of Eastern Christianity, and the Anglican Communion) by lawful ecclesiastical authority for the government both of the whole church and parts thereof and of the behaviour and …

What are the four dogmas of the Catholic Church?

The four dogmas of Mother of God, Immaculate Conception, perpetual virginity, and Assumption form the basis of Mariology. However, a number of other Catholic doctrines about the Virgin Mary have been developed by reference to sacred scripture, theological reasoning and Church tradition.

How do you address a canon in the Catholic Church?

Priests who have been appointed by their bishop as a member of a Cathedral Chapter of Canons are addressed in speech as ‘Canon’ and addressed on a letter as ‘The Very Reverend Canon’.

Can Catholic priests be called Reverend?

Priests: The formal style for a priest is either The Reverend or The Very Reverend, but for male priests the title Father and the person’s last name are frequently used (such as Father Smith). Bishops are styled as The Right Reverend.

Is the Pope above canon law?

The Pope is above all of those Canons in the law which are per se of the law, and not of the teaching authority. The Pope holds the highest office in the teaching authority of the Church, but he is also a believer and disciple of Christ, so he is subject to that authority.

What is the canon law of the Catholic Church?

The canon law of the Catholic Church (Latin for "canon law": ius canonicum) is the system of laws and legal principles made and enforced by the hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the Church.

What is canon law?

Canon law as a sacred science is called canonistics . The jurisprudence of canon law is the complex of legal principles and traditions within which canon law operates, while the philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law are the areas of philosophical, theological, and legal scholarship dedicated to providing ...

What is the 11th century book of canon law?

Image of pages from the Decretum of Burchard of Worms, the 11th-century book of canon law. The period of canonical history known as the ius antiquum ("ancient law") extends from the foundation of the Church to the time of Gratian (mid-12th century).

What is the difference between canon law and ius canonicum?

The term "canon law" ( ius canonicum) was only regularly used from the twelfth century onwards. The term ius ecclesiasticum, by contrast, referred to the secular law, whether imperial, royal, or feudal, that dealt with relations between the state and the Catholic Church. The term corpus iuris canonici was used to denote canon law as legal system ...

How many collections of canon law are there?

As many as 36 collections of canon law are known to have been brought into existence before 1150. The history of Latin canon law can be divided into four periods: the ius antiquum, the ius novum, the ius novissimum and the Codex Iuris Canonici.

What is the name of the father of canon law?

Gratian, the "Father of Canon Law". The period of canonical history known as the Ius novum ("new law") or middle period covers the time from Gratian to the Council of Trent (mid-12th century–16th century).

Why did Fernando della Rocca use the term "ecclesiastical-positive law"?

Fernando della Rocca used the term "ecclesiastical-positive law" in contradistinction to civil -positive law, in order to differentiate between the human legislators of church and state, all of which issue "positive law" in the normal sense.

What is the Canon Law?

Canon Law is a code of ecclesiastical laws governing the Catholic Church. In the Latin or Western Church, the governing code is the 1983 Code of Canon Law, a revision of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. A separate but parallel Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, issued in 1990, governs the Eastern Catholic churches.

Why is the Roman Canon called the Canon?

The first of these is still called the Roman Canon because it is nearly identical to the original Roman Canon . Canon is another name for a law in the Code of Canon Law. (Adjective form is canonical .) Canon Law is a code of ecclesiastical laws governing the Catholic Church. In the Latin or Western Church, the governing code is the 1983 Code ...

When was the Code of Canon Law promulgated?

When the revised Code of Canon Law was promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1983, it contained eighty-four canons that call for or permit legislative action by episcopal conferences.

What is the canon of sacred scripture?

The canon of Sacred Scripture is the list of books recognized by the church as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Before the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the single eucharistic prayer used universally in the Latin Mass was called the Roman Canon.

What are the divisions of the future code?

The general idea of the future Code includes (after the preliminary section) four main divisions: persons, things (with subdivisions for the sacraments, sacred places and objects, etc.), trials, crimes and penalties. It is practically the plan of the “Institutiones”, or manuals of canon law.

What are the sources of law for their common or particular territory?

Next to the pope, the bishops united in local councils, and each of them individually, are sources of law for their common or particular territory; canons of national or provincial councils, and diocesan statutes, constitute local law. Numerous texts of such origin are found in the ancient canonical collections.

What is the object of canon law?

The first object of the science of canon law is to fix the laws that are in force. This is not difficult when one has exact and recent texts, drawn up as abstract laws, e.g. most of the texts since the Council of Trent, and as will be the case for all canon law when the new code is published.

What is common law?

The common law, therefore, is that which is to be observed with regard to a certain matter, unless the legislator has foreseen or granted exceptions; for instance, the laws regulating benefices contain special provisions for benefices subject to the right of patronage.

What is external law?

External law determines the relations of ecclesiastical society with other societies, either secular bodies (the relations therefore of the Church and the State) or religious bodies, that is, interconfessional relations.

What is the difference between public law and private law?

Public law would, therefore, directly intend the welfare of society as such, and indirectly that of its members; while private law would look primarily to the wellbeing of the individual and secondarily to that of the community. (4) Public law is divided into external law (jus externum) and internal law (jus internum).

What is the body of laws and regulations made by or adopted by ecclesiastical authority?

Ecclesiastical Law. VII. The Principal Canonists. I. GENERAL NOTIONS AND DIVISIONS.—Canon law is the body of laws and regulations made by or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members.

What is the purpose of canon law?

Ultimately, canon law is at the service of the Church. It exists to assist the Church in its mission to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. The last canon in the code states clearly that the purpose of the law — indeed, the highest law — is the salvation of souls.

What is canon law?

So what is canon law all about? Put simply, canon law is how the Church organizes and governs herself. The word “canon” basically means rule. There are about 1.3 billion Catholics in the world, and the Church administrates a large collection of institutions. Therefore, the Church needs an organizational structure to carry out its office of governance and its saving mission. Every society needs laws — and so does the Church. There is an old saying: ubi societas ibi lex (“where there is a society there is law”). Imagine driving on the highway where there are no rules of the road? It would ultimately lead to disaster.

What is the book II of the Canon Law?

It is the same with the Code of Canon Law. Book II is about the People of God. It sets out the obligations and rights of the lay faithful and clergy. If you want to know what rights you have in the Church, this is the book where you will find them.

What is the Church's criminal law?

This is the Church’s criminal law. It sets out the authority the Church has to punish crimes, who can be punished, what crimes may be punished, and what the penalties are for those crimes. It may surprise many people to find this in the Code of Canon Law, but every institution has disciplinary regulations.

What is the law concerned with?

The law is concerned with the common good. Of course, there are disputes about what the common good is, and that is where the law comes in, to settle the issue fairly. The Church is concerned with spiritual realities, but these are lived out in the material world. We are not divorced from this world.

When was the first Canon Law published?

In 1917 , there was a major reform and the law was codified, published as the first Code of Canon Law. After the Second Vatican Council there was a revision, and the 1983 Code of Canon Law was issued for Latin-rite (often referenced as Roman-rite) Catholics by Pope St. John Paul II.

Is Canon law ecclesiastical or divine?

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.

First Cycle

The study of canon law presupposes a theological foundation. For those who do not possess an advanced degree in theology or who have had no previous training in philosophy, 24 graduate credits in theology (8 courses or two semesters) are required, covering (in general) dogmatic theology, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, and moral theology.

Second Cycle

Second Cycle refers to the six semesters in which students study the governing norms of the Catholic Church; upon successful completion of the requirements, the student earns the Licentiate in Canon Law.

Third Cycle

Third Cycle refers to further juridical formation and the writing of the doctoral dissertation; upon successful completion of the requirements, the student earns the doctor of canon law degree.

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Overview

The canon law of the Catholic Church ("canon law" comes from Latin ius canonicum ) is "how the Church organizes and governs herself". It is the system of laws and ecclesiastical legal principles made and enforced by the hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the Church. It was the first modern Western legal system and is the oldest continuousl…

Definitions

The term "canon law" (ius canonicum) was only regularly used from the twelfth century onwards. The term ius ecclesiasticum, by contrast, referred to the secular law, whether imperial, royal, or feudal, that dealt with relations between the state and the Catholic Church. The term corpus iuris canonici was used to denote canon law as legal system beginning in the thirteenth century.
Other terms sometimes used synonymously with ius canonicum include ius sacrum, ius ecclesia…

Sources of canon law

The term source or fountain of canon law (fons iuris 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: "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: "sources of knowing"), or depositaries, like sources of history.

Legal history and codification

The Catholic Church has the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the West, much later than Roman law but predating the evolution of modern European civil law traditions. What began with rules ("canons") adopted by the Apostles at the Council of Jerusalem in the first century has developed into a highly complex legal system encapsulating not just norms of the New Testame…

Jurisprudence of canon law

The institutions and practices of canon law paralleled the legal development of much of Europe, and consequently both modern civil law and common law bear the influences of canon law.
From the days of Ethelbert onwards [say, from the year 600], English law was under the influence of so much of Roman law as had worked itself into the tra…

Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law

Although canonical jurisprudential theory generally follows the principles of Aristotelian-Thomistic legal philosophy, Thomas Aquinas never explicitly discusses the place of canon law in his Treatise on Law However, Aquinas himself was influenced by canon law. While many canonists apply the Thomistic definition of law (lex) to canon law without objection, some authors dispute th…

Canonistics, faculties, and institutes

The academic degrees in canon law are the J.C.B. (Iuris Canonici Baccalaureatus, Bachelor of Canon Law, normally taken as a graduate degree), J.C.L. (Iuris Canonici Licentiatus, Licentiate of Canon Law) and the J.C.D. (Iuris Canonici Doctor, Doctor of Canon Law), and those with a J.C.L. or higher are usually called "canonists" or "canon lawyers". Because of its specialized nature, advanced degrees in civil law or theology are normal prerequisites for the study of canon law. C…

See also

• Apostolic Administrator
• Canon Episcopi
• Canonical Acts
• Canonical admonitions
• Confirmation of bishops