Customer Reviews

The Code in the Hands of the Laity: Canon Law for Everyone

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Written by a Canon Lawyer and Tribunal Judge, Introduction by a well-known Cardinal-Archbishop, it does put the Code of Canon Law, as the title suggests, "... in the Hands of the Laity." Saying that, I believe that it puts too much in the hands of the Laity--I believe much more than they are looking for, or care about. For instance, take Chapter 5 on "Conferences and Synods of Bishops." I do not people need or have any interest in all of this detail. As Synods are happening, "real-time," I believe it's important to let the Laity know they are taking place, what the issuers are, let them follow them on EWTN--see how decisions are being made, and await the outcome, which is probably the main interest they have in all of it. Take Chapters 12-15 on "Marriage Impediments," "Marriage Tribunals," "Marriage Cases," and "Marriage trials." Again, too much detail. The Laity who need a dispensation just want to know a brief "why" and where to sign. For annulments, a brief overview is nice, but I think the interest is more "Tell me when it's over, or getting close to the end, or if I need to do anything else!" Knowledge of the in-depth nature of trials is unheard of by the Laity unless there is good reason to know.

Don't get me wrong. There is plenty of good information and subject matter here. It is better for people to use a book like this than having to go to the actual Code of Canon Law: Latin-English Edition, or using the New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law or the older versions: Code of Canon Law: A Text and Commentary and Code of Canon Law a Text and Commentary, Study Edition. This would be more frightening for most untrained laity than helpful. Still, I believe they would be better served by "A Concise Guide to Canon Law; A Practical Handbook for Pastoral Ministers and Surprised By Canon Law: 150 Questions Laypeople Ask About Canon Law, for starters. If they still have an appetite for this stuff after that, this just might be the answer for them.

This book is informative. It has excellent references and therefore great for doing further or more exhaustive studies. Besides, providing the actual Code #'s, should one want to delve into the Code, the codes are keyed or cross-referenced to the Documents of the Church, like Vol. 1: The Conciliar and Postconciliar Documents, plus the Vatican Council II, Vol. 2: More Post-Conciliar Documents, and also the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Revised in Accordance With the Official Latin Text Promulgated by Pope John Paul II so that one can see how the code actually flows from the teaching of the Church, which most people do not realize.

This would probably make a good textbook for use in a seminary or university, but I think is beyond the usefulness of parish adult education classes.