Code of Canon Law Seen as Realization of Vatican II vision

CWN - January 22, 2013

The Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 realized the vision of the Church set forth by the Second Vatican Council, according to the Vatican’s top canon-law official.

Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, the president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, spoke about the relationship between the Code of Canon Law and the documents of Vatican II at a January 22 press conference in Rome. The press conference was called to introduce a “study day” organized to mark the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the new Code of Canon Law.

When Blessed John XXIII convened Vatican II, he foresaw that a new Code would be required, Cardinal Coccopalmeiro said. Blessed John Paul II, who officially promulgated the new Code, also observed that “the council’s ecclesiological structure clearly required a renewed formulation of its laws.”

Cardinal Coccopalmeiro pointed to several respects in which the new Code reflects the Council’s teachings: in the handling of episcopal collegiality; in its attention to the active role of the laity: in its understanding of a parish “as a community of believers, not as a structure or a territory;” and in its support for ecumenical activity.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Progress toward our June expenses ($13,182 to go):
$30,000.00 $16,817.93
44% 56%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

There are no comments yet for this item.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Pope Francis the Frank 19 hours ago
“Illegals” are not “Immorals”: A Persistent Immigration Fallacy 21 hours ago
News coverage of the Vatican: the blind leading the blind June 18
Those Harleys again June 17
Happy Father's Day! June 14

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Vatican document demands governments protect refugees CWN - June 6
Pope acknowledges 'gay lobby' influence in Vatican CWN - June 11
Pope confirms he is completing encyclical on faith begun by Benedict XVI CWN - June 13