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Canon Law

All articles tagged with #canon law

Doubts Arise Over the Canonical Status of the Synod of Bishops

Originally Published 2 years ago — by National Catholic Register

As the Synod on Synodality nears its end, some participants are questioning whether it can still be considered a Synod of Bishops since lay members now have voting rights, making up nearly one-fifth of the ballot. This change, announced by Pope Francis in April, aimed to restore the relationship between the common priesthood and the ministerial priesthood. While some observers argue that the inclusion of lay votes undermines the traditional nature of the Synod, others, including Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, believe it enhances the participation of non-bishops and does not diminish the weight of votes. The lack of clarity on this issue has raised concerns among participants, with some describing it as a "canonical and practical problem."

world religion canon-law church-governance laypeople religion synod-of-bishops vatican

"Pope Francis strengthens Catholic Church's stance on sexual abuse"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis has permanently decreed an updated version of Vos estis lux mundi, his landmark legislation to counter sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The decree extends the Church’s norms for handling abuse to cover lay leaders of international associations of the faithful recognized by the Vatican. The new norms will go into force on April 30 and replace the pope’s previous provisional version of Vos estis lux mundi published nearly four years ago. The norms regard what are called, in canon law, “delicts against the Sixth Commandment of the Decalogue,” consisting of sexual acts with a minor or vulnerable person; forcing someone to perform or submit to sexual acts through violence, threat, or abuse of authority; and the production or possession of child pornography.

world religion canon-law catholic-church pope-francis religion sexual-abuse vos-estis-lux-mundi