Ecclesiastical Review

The New Canon Law in Its Practical Aspects Ecclesiastical Review

Publisher Marketing: THE new codification of Canon Law is completed. The steps that led up to this memorable event in the history of ecclesiastical jurisprudence are best set forth by the reigning Pontiff in his Bull Providentissima Mater Ecclesia, in which he promulgates the new Code. Then the Bull is quoted. With inevitable changes nevertheless in the conditions of the times and in the needs of mell, as our predecessor, Pius X of happy memory, pointed out in the Motu Proprio Arduum sane. issued 17 March, 1904, it became apparent that Canon Law could no longer readily attain the fulness of its aims. Indeed in the passing of centuries many, many laws had been published, of which some had been abrogated by the supreme authority of the Church or had fallen into desuetude; whilst others, owing to changed conditions, had become difficult of execution, or less useful and expedient for the common good. Moreover these laws had so increased in number and were so separated one from another and scattered about that many of them were unknown not merely to the people at large, but even to the most learned. As with Trent, the 1869-1870 Vatican Council desired several things to be completed. Trent had not considered a codification of Canon Law, but the Vatican Council had considered this as not only desirable, but essential for the good order of the Catholic Church. Following this desire Popes Pius X and Benedict XV codified Canon Law, which was issued in 1917.