An Introduction to Canon Law [Paperback]

James A. Coriden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1991

Canon law is the name given to the rules that govern church order and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church. This valuable book, which has been updated to reflect changes and adaptations in canon law and new resources in the field, offers an introductory orientation of all of canon law.

A superb teaching and learning tool, it provides outlines and overviews of relatively complex areas of canon law, sketches the basic structure and design of the various offices and functions within the church and how they relate to each other, and gives an orientation to the more important areas of canon law, as well as a background and context within which more detailed rules can be understood. Two appendices offer guidance for doing canonical research and case studies for further discussion.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James A. Coriden, who holds an S.T.L. and J.C.D. from the Gregorian University in Rome, and a J.D. from the Catholic University of America, is professor of canon law and dean emeritus of the Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC. A priest ordained for the Diocese of Gary, he is one of the three general editors of the New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law and the author of An Introduction to Canon Law and The Parish in Catholic Tradition (Paulist Press). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Pr (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809132311
• ISBN-13: 978-0809132317
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,474,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Useful and Basically Balanced Introduction to Canon Law, October 27, 2008

By 

Sacerdos Atque Discipulus (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Canon Law (Revised) (Paperback)

This is a very concise and helpful introduction to Canon Law. It is not easy to find many introductory books in English. This is probably, as far as American publications go, the best one out there.

It is an easy read and it would also be worth while to keep this book on one's shelf for reference. Considering the depth of the Code of Canon Law, Father Coriden was always to the point and quite balanced. Here and there you can perceive some of the ecclesiastical laws or matters that he takes issue with as well as a little bit of extra emphasis on the sections of the Code that deal with a subject that he is quite interested in: the various rights of the faithful. He has another book on this subject and is intent on emphasizing and writing about what he terms a "bill of rights" for the baptized. He also does things such as go out of his way only to refer to priests as "presbyters".

But again, for a handy introduction to Canon Law, this book has to be one of the best there is out there and I cannot imagine anyone who purchases it not being satisfied.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This "Intro to CL a must have", November 9, 2006

By 

Al LaMonaca "Deacon want to be" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Canon Law (Revised) (Paperback)

This gives a quick, easy to understand, in a nutshell briefing on a difficult, legalized subject. It helps greatly. I recommend it to all students of the "Law" and future deacons like myself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AS GOOD AS THE ORIGINAL AND BETTER, April 26, 2009

By 

Edwin F. Gearhart (Springfield, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Canon Law (Revised) (Paperback)

I find this revision extremely helpful. I will use it with my students this summer. The case studies challenge the student to apply their learnings and learn the skill and art of application.