Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Archives

Crime of abuse is personal failure, not institutional, cardinal says

Jun 8, 2021

A cleric who sexually abuses a child and a bishop or religious superior who covers up that abuse are personally morally at fault, but the Catholic Church as an institution is not, said Cardinal Julián Herranz, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.

By Cindy Wooden

German diocese must rework parish merger plan after Vatican objects

Jun 10, 2020

The Diocese of Trier must change its plan for reform after Vatican officials objected to some of its aspects, including plans for the future role of priests.

By Catholic News Service

Pope says revision of canon law section on crime, penalties is necessary

Feb 21, 2020

The 12-year process of updating the Code of Canon Law section dealing with crimes and penalties was necessary “to make it more organic and responsive to new situations and problems,” Pope Francis said.

By Cindy Wooden

Vatican officials offer guidance for German Church gathering

Sep 13, 2019

The German bishops’ plans for a two-year process of consultation and deliberation on key issues facing the Catholic Church must conform to universal church law and must be approved by the pope, said the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

By Cindy Wooden

Universal and local: Church law responds to local law, culture

Jun 2, 2019

The Catholic Church has universal laws valid around the globe, but many of those laws — including on handling allegations of abuse — must be further refined on a local level to respond to national laws and cultures.

By Cindy Wooden

Official looks at meaning, role of ‘metropolitan archbishop’

Jun 1, 2019

Designating an archdiocese as a “metropolitan see” is part of an organizational model, borrowed from the Romans, that goes back to the early days of Christianity, said Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.

By Cindy Wooden

Vatican’s former legal chief says canon law should include care of creation

Jul 18, 2018

The Vatican’s former top advisor on canon law has made a public call to insert legal obligations for the care of creation into the Church’s universal canon law – making it a legal duty for Catholics not only “not to harm” the environment, but to improve it.

By Elise Harris, CNA

Vatican officials say Pope didn’t glide over rules when marrying couple on plane

Jan 23, 2018

Pope Francis’s decision to convalidate the marriage of two flight attendants in the air sent waves of turbulence through the Catholic blogosphere. “The pope saw an opportunity and he worked it,” said Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life.

By Cindy Wooden