Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts

The Latest

St. Peter holding the keys.

Pope Francis updates canon law on dismissal from religious institutes

Apr 26, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The change follows sweeping reform of the Catholic Church’s penal sanctions. Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Nov. 17, 2021.

Is Pope Francis’ pragmatic approach creating a crisis for canon law?

Nov 19, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A new book claims that the Church’s legal framework is being thrown into confusion. Read more

Pope Francis unveils sweeping reform of Catholic Church’s penal sanctions

Jun 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis wrote in the apostolic constitution introducing the changes that those who have committed a crime “need both mercy... Read more

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican responds to bishops’ call to amend Church law on crimes against minors

May 11, 2021

The Vatican told English and Welsh bishops that it was in the process of altering the Code of Canon Law. Read more

Archbishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg.

German archdiocese plans to cut parishes from 1,000 to 40

Jul 16, 2020

A German archdiocese is pressing ahead with plans to dramatically reduce the number of its parishes despite the Vatican’s decision... Read more

Bischof Stephan Ackermann of Trier.

Vatican halts German diocesan plan to turn 800 parishes into 35

Jun 10, 2020

The Vatican has intervened to halt a controversial plan to reorganize a German diocese.  Read more

Coat of arms of Archbishop Filippo Iannone.

Analysis: Who is the Pope’s new canon law expert?

Apr 10, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The new president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts is a well-respected canon law expert, with pastoral, scholarly, and... Read more