A Concise Guide to Canon Law; A Practical Handbook for Pastoral Ministers [Paperback]

Kevin E. McKenna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 21, 2000

Pastoral ministers are faced with new questions and challenges every day, and answers aren't always easy to find. Canon law can provide the answers to some of the most complicated questions, but busy pastoral ministers don't always know where or how to find those answers. What's needed is a clear, concise, easy-to-use reference guide to church law, one that puts the answers right at your fingertips. A Concise Guide to Canon Law will do just that. This handy reference provides a compact overview of the most important canonical issues facing pastoral ministers today. Arranged by topic, it offers a thorough summary of church law--including such topics as the sacraments and church organization--and is complete with reference numbers to relevant canons in the Code of Canon Law. Helpful sections of "frequently asked questions and answers" at the end of the chapters make finding answers to the most often-asked questions even easier. With more and more lay people becoming involved with church administration, and with members of parishes and faith communities raising more complex and complicated questions, Understanding church law is vital and A Concise Guide to Canon Law makes it easy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press (April 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877939349
• ISBN-13: 978-0877939344
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully useful introductory guide., July 3, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise Guide to Canon Law; A Practical Handbook for Pastoral Ministers (Paperback)

Pastoral ministers are faced with questions and challenges every day and the answers aren't always easy to find. Canon law can provide the answers to some of the most complicated questions, but busy pastoral ministers are often too strapped for time for extensive original research. Kevin McKenna's A Concise Guide To Canon Law offers a clear, concise, easy-to-use reference guide to church law that puts the answers into a convenient, practical, "user friendly" format. This hand reference provides a compact overview of the most important canonical issues facing pastoral ministers today. Arranged by topic, it offers a thorough summary of church law and is complete with reference numbers to relevant canons in the Code of Canon Law. A Concise Guide To Canon Law is an invaluable addition to the pastoral ministry reference shelf and is wonderfully useful introductory guide for students of Canon Law.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Whole System of Law made Easy, June 1, 2000

By 

Patricia M. Dugan "Patricia M. Dugan" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Concise Guide to Canon Law; A Practical Handbook for Pastoral Ministers (Paperback)

This book is not only excellent for its purpose, but it is a wonderful example of the way in which such manuals and guides should be done. The format is clear and concise. It has a Glossary which alone is worth the price of the book! There are indexes and sections on frequently asked questions which will also be of invaluable assistance. Canon Law, like any system of law, can be daunting to anyone not formally schooled in it. Father McKenna knows Canon Law. As a canon lawyer myself, this book makes me realize how extensive his knowledge is. He combines this with his God-given ability to teach and explain, and the reader is so much better for it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes both a good introduction and a good course outline, December 28, 2004

By 

Pete Vere (Ottawa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise Guide to Canon Law; A Practical Handbook for Pastoral Ministers (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book. It makes a wonderful canon law primer for non-canonists, since it touches upon all the major areas where a pastoral minister will run into canon law in his day-to-day ministry. It is particularly strong with regards to the administration of the sacraments. For example, it lists the prerequisites for being a godparent, when a dispensation or special permission is needed for a wedding, and what to look for canonically when a non-Catholic desires to convert to the Catholic Faith. The book follows a simple format that is easy to read and easy to find what you're looking for.

It also makes a wonderful lecture and course outline for canon lawyers looking to teach a basic canon law course to pastoral ministers within one's diocese. I definitely could have used it, rather than invent my lecture outline from scratch, when in my former diocese I was teaching canon law to permanent deacons and candidates to the permanent diaconate.