Aims

The aim of the course is to understand the locus and role of canon law within the life and practice of the Roman Catholic Church; to show how the ecclesiological given actually works. The primary objective of the course is methodological: in enable the student able to use the Code of Canon Law and to find (at least some) ways of resolving issues using canon law.

Main themes

The first part consists of an introductory reflection on the reason and nature of canon law, including some notions of its history. The second part consists of a presentation of the Book II of the Code of Canon Law (except the section about religious life): the focus is on the status of ChristiFideles and the hierarchical constitution of the Church. The course also includes some introductory notions on Book III of the Codex.

Content and teaching methods

The sacraments of marriage and order will be studied in a comparative approach from the specific point of view of canon law. They will be examined from theoretical and procedural point of view with a special awareness to the contemporary debates within the Catholic Church and the society as well.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

without object