User Guide for Book VI of the Code of Canon Law – Penal Sanctions in the Church

Description

With the Apostolic Constitution Pascite gregem Dei of 23 May 2021, Pope Francis promulgated the new Book VI of the Code of Canon Law, De sanctionibus poenalibus in Ecclesia, abrogating the previous Book VI De sanctionibus in Ecclesia, which had been promulgated, along with the other books of the Code by St John Paul II with the Apostolic Constitution Sacrae disciplinae leges of 25 January 1983. After decades of experience, the need was seen to prepare new penal legislation that would provide Ordinaries with more adequate instruments to enforce ecclesiastical discipline, prevent deviant conduct, restore the order of justice that had been violated, and repair the scandal that may have been caused.

Arising from a desire to have a document about penal law written for non-experts, ldquo;User Guide for Book VI of the code of Canon Law: Penal Sanctions in the Church rdquo; has been published.