What is Canon Law?

Coming across references to canon law is no longer uncommon for Catholic lay people, perhaps because of the rise in annulments or maybe due to the shortage of priests. Whatever the reason, most of us have heard of canon law. But what is it? Where did it come from?

Every organization, whether secular or religious, requires its own laws and customs in order to maintain order. Within the Catholic Church, the internal legal system that governs its day-to-day workings is known as canon law. The word canon comes from the old Greek word kanon with a “k”, which means “reed.” In the ancient world, a reed symbolized the authority to rule; so the word canon means “to rule” or “the rule of law.”

Canon law is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation.

In response to the request of the bishops at the First Vatican Council, work began on the Code of Canon Law, which was completed in 1917 and came into force on May 19, 1918. Revisions which began after the Second Vatican Council became the 1983 Code of Canon Law to distinguish it from the 1917 Code. Like the preceding edition, it applies to Roman Catholics of the Latin Rite.

There are 1,752 canons dealing with everything from the celebration of sacraments to what’s necessary for annulling a marriage; from who can bless a church to what feast days must be observed.

Some of the canons require long explanations, while others are not as complicated. Canon 104 says that “Spouses are to have a common domicile … by reason of legitimate separation or some other just cause, both can have their own domicile ...” Basically, married people should share a house, but for certain reasons may live apart.

Canon 110 says that “Children who have been adopted according to the norm of civil law are considered the children of the person or persons who have adopted them.” That canon doesn’t require much explanation!

The very last canon, Canon 1572, reminds us that canon law has a noble purpose: “… (T)he salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.”

And while parochial vicars may be moved frequently, Canon 522 says that, ideally, the pastor of a parish should “possess stability and therefore is to be appointed for an indefinite period of time.” In other words, we are stuck with Monsignor Olona! Isn’t it good to know that canon law can work in our favor!