Theological Aspects of the Amendments to the 1983 Code of Canon Law Cover Image

Teologické aspekty novel Kodexu kanonického práva z roku 1983
Theological Aspects of the Amendments to the 1983 Code of Canon Law

Author(s): Stanislav Přibyl
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History of Law, Civil Law, Systematic Theology, Canon Law / Church Law, Philosophy of Law
Published by: Společnost pro církevní právo
Keywords: Code of Canon Law; amendment; Pope; motu proprio; criminal law; procedural law; faith; ordination of women; deacons; abortion;

Summary/Abstract: This article looks at the amendments of the current Code of Canon Law in terms of their theological justification. It establishes that most of the theological focus is to be found in the first two amendments, over which Josef Ratzinger had considerable influence, in the first instance while still a cardinal in the case of John Paul II’s amendment Ad tuendam fidem, then as pope for the amendment Omnium in mentem. In this amendment, the German-born pope also dealt with the question of formal apostasy from the Catholic Church, a topical issue in his native country. There is also no lack of theological justification in the amendments made by Pope Francis, particularly on matrimonial procedure, issued in the form of two motu proprio, and in the comprehensive amendment to criminal law Pascite gregem Dei, promulgated in the form of an apostolic constitution. The latter specifies the criminal sanction for many offences, including the offence of denying definitively proclaimed Church doctrine, which was first introduced by the amendment Ad tuendam fidem.

  • Issue Year: XXIX/2023
  • Issue No: 92
  • Page Range: 31-48
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Czech
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