Canon Law
The Latest
Poll: Regular Mass attendees say politicians who oppose Church teaching on grave matters ‘create confusion’
A poll by a Catholic advocacy group released on Tuesday found that, among Catholics who attend Mass regularly, the vast... Read more
'A welcome necessity': Canon law society praises revisions to Church penal sanctions
The Canon Law Society of America on Tuesday expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s new revisions to Book VI of the... Read more
Pope Francis unveils sweeping reform of Catholic Church’s penal sanctions
Pope Francis wrote in the apostolic constitution introducing the changes that those who have committed a crime “need both mercy... Read more
Vatican responds to bishops’ call to amend Church law on crimes against minors
The Vatican told English and Welsh bishops that it was in the process of altering the Code of Canon Law. Read more
Cardinal Ladaria: Pastoral care, Church law are not in conflict in marriage cases
The cardinal spoke at a study day devoted to the 2001 instruction Potestas ecclesiae. Read more
Survey: Two-thirds of Catholics say Biden should be able to receive Communion
Two-thirds of U.S. Catholics say that President Joe Biden, who has contradicted Church teaching on abortion, marriage, and gender ideology,... Read more
Analysis: Archbishop Gregory says he won’t deny Biden communion. How will Catholics respond?
Washington’s archbishop, who will be made a cardinal this weekend, told a journalist Tuesday that in his diocese, he will... Read more
Pope Francis requires bishops to have Vatican permission for new diocesan religious institutes
Pope Francis has changed canon law to require a bishop to have permission from the Holy See prior to establishing... Read more
Cardinal Burke: Biden should not receive Holy Communion
Cardinal Raymond Burke, a canon lawyer and formerly the prefect of the Church’s highest court, has said that Catholic politicians... Read more
Detroit man thought he was a priest. He wasn't even a baptized Catholic
Father Matthew Hood of the Archdiocese of Detroit thought he became a priest in 2017. He hadn't even been baptized. Read more
Analysis: The sacramental shutdown, coronavirus, and canon law
The coronavirus pandemic has caused disruption around the world. To politics, economics, and to the life of the Church: most... Read more
Theologians say there is ‘doubt’ of sacramentality in marriages between ‘baptized non-believers’
The International Theological Commission this week published a study into the question of whether two “baptized non-believers” can contract sacramental... Read more
Lesotho PM murder case could have canon law consequences
Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has been charged with the murder of his estranged former wife. The trial could also have an canonical... Read more
Pope Francis: Canon law revision project is concluding
Pope Francis said on Friday that canon law can be like medicine, because justice is healing for the entire Church.... Read more
Pope Francis: 'Canon law is essential for ecumenical dialogue'
In an audience Thursday with members of the Society for the Law of the Eastern Churches, Pope Francis said that “canon... Read more
Baptismal record for same-sex couples causes controversy in Colombia
The recent baptism of a child raised by a same-sex couple has caused a controversy in Colombia, after a parish... Read more
Signatura: Geissler 'acquittal' came after formal process
The Vatican announced Friday that a former Curial official accused of sexual solicitation in the confessional was found not guilty... Read more
Analysis: 'Vos estis' and 'vulnerability'
Pope Francis’ recently promulgated policy on sexual abuse allegations made against bishops, Vos estis lux mundi, offers a new and... Read more
Pope Francis issues norms for reports of abuse of minors, seminarians, and religious
New Vatican norms for the Church’s handling of sex abuse, issued Thursday, place seminarians and religious coerced into sexual activity... Read more
Analysis: With bishops in a tight spot, will priests get squeezed?
As bishops address the clerical sexual abuse crisis, will they ensure the canonical rights of priests? Read more
