Introduction to Canon Law (RL 480)

Session #1
Monday, 21 July 2008

Canon Law: Its Sources, Forms, Purposes, and Analysis

Announcements nametags, sign-ups, arrange for goodies
Assignments for today Read: Codex I (Eng); Lat; Parallel; Coriden, Introduction, 1–54, 191–204
Skim: Beal, xix–xx, 1–238
Rec: Hite & Ward, 1–166; Huels (entire); McKenna 13–24, 109–25; Örsy (entire)
8:30 Opening Prayer
8:45 Introductions—name cards and brief info. on file cards for me
Review Syllabus & web materials; discuss texts; Q&A about reading so far
9:00 Catholic Trivia Game
9:30 Break Students choose case study assignments & presentation times
9:40 Mini-Lecture:

The Sources, Forms, and Pastoral Purposes of the Code

Key Point: "Canons" are not "Law" (cf. Coriden, An Introduction to Canon Law, 1–34)
10:00 Dyads
  1. Categorize the canons (I.1–34)
  2. Identify the distinctions made in these canons
  3. What significance do these categories and distinctions have?
Discuss in Large Group: compare and contrast results
10:30 Break  
10:35 Mini-Lecture:

Roman Catholic Theology & Vatican II

Key Point: Faith, hope and charity come before the law
10:55 Small Group Discussions (three groups of four each)
  1. Are any of these features of the Council a surprise to you?
  2. Which of these do you think are the most important for church life?
  3. What significance do these principles have for understanding the canons?
  4. What differences would there be in your view of "canon law" if these things are taken into account?
11:15 Break  
11:20 Mini-Lecture:

Historical and Cultural Contexts of the 1983 Codex

Key Point: The Council Governs the Code
11:45 Discussion:
  1. What do you think is the significance of this point that the Council governs the Code?
  2. Which of the principles of revision do you think are the most important?
  3. Which of the principles of revision do you think are the least important?
  4. What would be different if the Code were to govern our interpretation of the Council?
  5. What would you do in a case where it seems that a particular canon goes counter to the teaching of the Council? How would you resolve this difficulty?
  6. What other questions do you have on this topic, or on the other material from this morning?
12:00 Lunch break  
12:45 Mini-Lecture & Workshop

An Introduction to Case Studies

Basic components of a Case Analysis:
  • a summary of the key facts of the case
  • an outline of the pastoral issues involved
  • a list of the canons you see as pertinent to the case
  • a discussion of your assumptions regarding the literary, rhetorical & historical aspects of these canons
  • a statement of how you would resolve the case, including the grounds for your decision
  • a brief analysis of the ethical, pastoral, and theological implications of your decision
Examples of Cases relating primarily to Codex I–II
  • The Chancellor calls Sr. Judith to tell her she has been appointed Pastor and Parish Administrator of St. Anne's Parish (c. 146, 148, 150, 152, 156, 157)
  • After returning from a cruise provided by an important parish donor, the Pastor fires his newly-appointed Associate for insubordination and appoints the donor's nephew as his replacement (c. 146–148 §2, 153, 157, 192–193)
  • A Pastor refuses to communicate a pro-abortion politician (c. 209, 213, 214, 218, 220, 221, 222 §§1–2, 227)
  • The Parish Finance Committee recommends that Pastor eliminate health insurance coverage for Parish employees (c. 216, 222 §2, 228 §1, 227 §2, 231 §2)
1:30 Dyads Case Preparation time
1:45 Hite & Ward Case #1
2:00 SEM Case #1: A Request for Baptism
2:15 SEM Case #2: A Request for First Communion
2:30 SEM Case #3: A Request for Marriage
2:45 SEM Case #5: Baptism v. Boundaries
3:00 Break  
3:15 Hite & Ward Case #19
3:30 SEM Case #4: A Case of Inter-Communion
3:45 SEM Case #6: When to Baptize a Child
4:00 Session summary
4:15 Feedback Sheet
4:30 Conclude session
Assignments for tomorrow Read: Codex II (Eng); Lat; Coriden, Introduction, 55–102
Skim: Beal, 239–908
Rec: Hite & Ward, 168–335; McKenna 25–47