Questions de droit canonique

Teacher(s)

Christians Louis-Léon;

Language

French

Prerequisites

Main themes

It provides a pragmatic introduction to a religious legal system, i.e. the current law of the Catholic Church. (Other teachings on canon law are also provided in other programs organized by UCL). The course introduces students to the practical arrangements for legal intervention in the Catholic Church, managing the religious status of more than one billion followers worldwide. A mainly technical analysis is adopted to introduce more specific topics of canon law, chosen by the students.
The specificity of canon law over state law or in relation to other religions is analyzed about marriage and its forms of nullity and dissolution; about ecclesiastical status; about penal canon law against abuse in religious practices (e.g. the crisis of sexual offenses), about the status of religious courts.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	-   understand the locus and role of canon law within the life and practice of the Roman Catholic Church understood as a community of believers; -   evaluate the relationship between canon law, State law and human rights as a joint project for good citizenship; -   find (at least some) ways of resolving issues using canon law.

Content

After a brief historical and conceptual presentation, this course introduces students to the practice of Catholic Church Law through three focuses : one on canon law currently applicable to marriage, another on canonical penal law (dealing with sexual offences), and the last one on a theme chosen by students (synodal practice, functioning of parishes and dioceses, etc.).
At the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to research documents and a suitable working method in canon law.

Teaching methods

Teaching is based on a portfolio of readings.
Some PPT presentations and video clips complete the program.

Evaluation methods

A series of exercises, questions and suggested essays complete the course. Each student must successfully complete a sufficient number of these to validate the course. Failing this, a final written exam will be required, the size of which will depend on whether or not the student has already completed the series of exercises.

Online resources

See the moodle website of the course.

Bibliography

• Codex de droit canonique (1983) est indispensable (en accès libre sur internet).

Faculty or entity

TEBI