Code of Canon Law

1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church

St. John Paul II1983-01-25Amended

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Overview

The principal universal code governing the Latin Church, organized around general norms, the People of God, teaching and sanctifying offices, temporal goods, sanctions, and processes.

Why This Document Matters

It provides the ordinary juridical framework for the Church's Latin canonical discipline and protects both ecclesial order and the rights of the faithful.

Historical Context

Promulgated by St. John Paul II in 1983 after the revision of the 1917 Code in light of Vatican II; individual canons have since been amended.

Authority and Status

Genre: Canonical Code
Authority class: Universal canonical code promulgated by the pope
Juridical force: Legislative
Current status: Amended
Promulgated: 1983-01-25

Legal or historical note: Current as amended by subsequent legislation.

A universal legislative code for the Latin Church. It contains law rather than one uniform class of doctrinal propositions and must be read with later amendments, authentic interpretations, and applicable particular law.

Key Points

Canon LawGovernanceRights and ObligationsSacraments

Major Themes

Canon LawGovernanceRights and ObligationsSacramentsPenal LawProcedures

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Official Text

Code of Canon Law

Codex Iuris Canonici

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

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