Glossary of Key CIC Terms
last update: 22 July 2008

advena
A person when he or she is actually present in the place where she or he has a quasi-domicile.
ferendae sententiae
One of the two forms of penalty, namely, that which is imposed by the judgement of a court or by the decree of a Superior, when a person has been found guilty of an offence (cf. latae sententiae).
incola
A person when he or she is actually present in the place where he or she has a domicile.
inter vivos
A legal arrangement whereby, during lifetime, a person at once transfers proper to another person or corporate body (cf. mortis causa below).
latae sententiae
One of the two forms of penalty, namely, that which is automatically incurred on committing an offence, without the intervention of a judge or Superior (cf. ferendae sententiae).
magisterium
The teaching authority of the Church.
mortis causa
A legal arrangement made by a person during lifetime, whereby only after his or her death property is transferred to another person or corporate body (cf. inter vivos)
motu proprio.
A rescript (cf. Can. 59 §1) which grants a favor not on the request of a petitioner, but on the sole initiative of the granting authority.
peregrinus
A person when he or she is outside the place where he or she has a domicile or quasi-domicile, while still retaining that domicile or quasi-domicile. The plural is peregrini.
presbyterium
The body of priests who are dedicated to the service of a particular Church, under the authority of the Bishop or other Superior equivalent to a Bishop.
vagus
A person who has neither a domicile nor a quasi-domicile anywhere. The plural is vagi.