Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Introductio in Codicem: read and know the Code...

Laymen, get a copy of the Code of Canon Law.

Read it and know it. Know the rules. Know your rights.

As a high school student I worked for a millionaire and one day he called to complain that his water bed at home had broken. Myself and a colleague were asked to go to his manse to attempt to fix it.

His wife met us at the door and brought us into the bedroom. The first thing we saw were Canon Law books at his bedside. As a hobby he studied Canon Law. This is an inspiration. Be inspired.

4 comments:

W.C. Hoag said...

For English speakers, I strongly suggest "Code of Canon Law Annotated: Prepared Under the Responsibility of the Instituto Martin De Azpilcueta" published by the Midwest Theological Forum; 2nd edition (January 1, 2004)

It is far superior to that prepared by the Canon Law Society of America.

Anonymous said...

"Myself and a friend"??? How about "A friend and I"?

Quentin said...

Before people get bogged down by the details of the Code itself, they may care to read 'The Rights of Catholics in the Church' by Fr James A Coriden (Paulist Press).

Also, when they DO go to read the Code itself, I'd suggest a version with a commentary : the Canon Law Society of America's 'New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law', edited by Frs Beal, Coriden, and Green, is an excellent one, and widely available.

Londoner said...

I'd also like to recommend study of the Vatican II document which underlies the treatment of the lay vocation in the Code - Apostolicam Actuositatem, the Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People, especially its wonderful sections on the spirituality of lay people and on the "renewal of the temporal order". And remember - rights imply resposibilities!