Current Canon Law Research Articles

Sexual Abuse of Minors in Currently Applicable Canon Law – Selected Issues

Acts contra sextum with minors are one of the most serious ecclesiastical crimes. For this reason, they have always been a subject matter of ecclesiastical law and have been punished in various ways. The article discusses selected aspects of sexual abuse concerning minors in the current canon law, especially in the light of Book VI of the Code of Canon Law of 1983 reformed by Pope Francis. It presents what sexual abuse is in terms of canon law and discusses the active subject (the offender) and the passive subject (the victim) of a criminal act as well as the issue of child pornography. The article outlines the characteristics of the canonical and criminal liability of the clergy. The analysis of the literature clearly indicates that the penalty imposed on a clergyman in the canonical system neither relieves nor replaces the penalty imposed in the penitential system of state law, hence the clergyman is somehow subject to double responsibility. First under canon law and then under state law.

Obowiązek Obowiązek odmawiania liturgii godzin przez diakonów stałych (kan. 276 § 2 nr 3)

Obowiązek odmawiania liturgii godzin przez diakonów stałych (kan. 276 § 2 nr 3)
 Celem artykułu jest ukazanie zagadnienia odmawiania liturgii godzin przez diakonów stałych. Kodeks zobowiązuje diakonów stałych do odmawiania części liturgii godzin, określonej przez konferencję episkopatu. W pierwszej części artykułu przedstawiono kwestię kształtowania się obowiązku sprawowania liturgii godzin w Kościele. W drugiej części ukazano liturgię godzin diakonów stałych według obowiązującego prawa kanonicznego, natomiast część trzecia została poświęcona normom komplementarnym konferencji episkopatów odnośnie do liturgii godzin diakonów stałych. Całość artykułu zamyka podsumowanie i bibliografia.

Pojęcie zamieszkania w obowiązującym prawie kanonicznym

Artykuł przedstawia pojęcie zamieszkania w prawie kanonicznym łacińskim i wschodnim z punktu widzenia doktryny kanonistycznej. Autor twierdzi, że w obowiązującym prawie kanonicznym brak definicji legalnej zamieszkania. Należy ją zatem wyprowadzić z innych przepisów, głównie o jego nabywaniu i utracie, wychodząc przed wszystkim z założeń teoretyczno- i historyczno-prawnych tej instytucji (1.1.). Opisując tradycyjne elementy zamieszkania (corpus i animus), autor zauważa pewną nieelastyczność pojęcia domicylu (2.1.3.). Posługując się zaś kryterium woli, wskazuje trzy teorie koncepcji domicylu w kanonistyce (3.1.). Opowiada się za teorią mieszaną lub dwudzielną zmienioną i wyróżnia zamieszkanie właściwe (a w nim: zamieszkanie swobodne oraz zamieszkanie faktyczne) i niewłaściwe (czyli ustawowe; 3.1.3.).

The English Canon Law Relating to Suicide Victims

Society has historically viewed suicide with hostility and fear. For centuries this hostility was reflected in the English civil law, which condemned suicide as homicide, and in the Church's position towards suicide victims, which historically considered suicide to be a mortal sin. Under the current canon law, set out in Canon B 38, it is the duty of the minister to bury all parishioners, those who die in the parish, or those entered on the electoral roll of the parish according to the rites of the Church of England, except for (among others) those who ‘being of sound mind have laid violent hands upon themselves’. This canon has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years as society's attitudes towards suicide have become more tolerant. As a result, General Synod recently voted that this canon should be amended. This article explores the development of the law relating to suicide victims in order to understand the Church's current position. It then considers the shortcomings of the current canon law and reviews the position adopted by the Roman Catholic and Methodist churches. Finally, it examines the proposals for changing Canon B 38.

Spowiedź sakramentalna warunkiem uzyskania odpustu zupełnego. Analiza kanonicznoprawna

The present article attempts to make some canonical clarifications on the subject of indulgences in the Catholic Church. In fact, in pastoral practice we can observe many misunderstandings, especially regarding the sacramental confession as a condition sine qua non to gain a plenary indulgence. According to some priests, the sacrament of penance would be necessary only if the person is not in a state of grace. The analysis of the current canon law, interpreted in the light of the legal tradition of the Church and especially of the spirit of the canon law, allow us to say that in ordinary situations the sacramental confession, which should take place about two weeks before or after the indulgence, determines the reception or not of a plenary indulgence by of the faithful. This rule has to be applied in every ordinary situation (i.e. outside the danger of death), and consequent-ly also in the case of plenary indulgence provided by the Holy Father to the Holy Year of Mercy.

The Favor Fidei and Gratian’s Decree: An Investigation of the Canonical Origins of Current Discipline in the Matter of the Dissolution of the Bond

In current Canon Law, the Roman Pontiff can dissolve in certain cases non sacramental marriages “on behalf of the faith”. The origin of this practice is usually related to the Apostle Paul, who might be its remote source of inspiration. This article seeks to clarify the concrete moment in which this practice appears justified in Canon Law and the reasons which led to establish the privilege in favorem fidei as an exception to the indissolubilty of natural marriage.

The Synod of Bishops: Canon Law and Ecclesial Dynamics

Christians have had centuries of experience with a wide variety of synods or councils, and the establishment by Pope Paul VI in 1965 of the Synod of Bishops is one of the latest examples. It is already clear that with Pope Francis the Synod will increase its already great impact on the life and mission of the Church. This article will begin by presenting the current canon law governing the Synod, mainly from the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Particular attention will then be given to the ecclesial dynamics within which the Synod operates. This will involve considering papal primacy, episcopal collegiality, Ecumenical Councils, the College of Cardinals and the Roman Curia. While accepting that the Synod must be understood on its own terms, the concluding reflections will illustrate the need to state as a matter of theology and of history the foundations on which synodality and conciliarity rest.

A coisa julgada no processo civil canônico: entre a segurança e a certeza

O presente estudo trata da evolução histórica do instituto da coisa julgada no âmbito do processo canônico. O estudo histórico tem o objetivo de investigar a configuração do instituto ao longo da história e demonstrar que o seu desenvolvimento deu-se entre duas exigências opostas: a segurança e a certeza. Essas duas exigências têm especial relevância também no direito canônico vigente, particularmente no tocante à exigência da dupla conformidade e seu significado nas causas matrimoniais.