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Description: Now in paperback! Here is an entirely new and comprehensive commentary by canon lawyers from North America and Europe, with a revised English translation of the Code. It reflects the enormous developments in canon law since the publication of the original commentary. New features: o A focus on the lived experience of the Latin Church since the promulgation of the 1983 Code
o Inclusion of significant canonical developments made since 1983 by the Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, as well as recent Papal statements
o An accounting of disputed canonical questions such as lay exercises of jurisdiction
o An effort to take into consideration the 1990 Eastern Code
o An effort to engage other commentaries on the 1983 code that have been published since its promulgation An indispensable pastoral reference work, this book belongs in every parish, rectory, university and seminary library. First Place Winner, Reference Books category, 2001 CPA Awards
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Review Summary: Incredible resource |
Date: 2008-09-30 |
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Details: Wow. What a great commentary. There is so much here that I have an even stronger appreciation for canon law than I did before. I am studying to be a priest and this book is really proving to be invaluable. And this is proving to be an invaluable help. There is history of the code, comparisons with the 1917 code and the code of the Eastern church. Really indepth and almost too much...almost. |
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Review Summary: A Freshly Revished Text with a New, Lucid Commentary on Canon Law |
Date: 2008-09-19 |
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Details: The New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law, issued by Paulist Press (2000), is the standard edition found universities and seminaries; and it is the best one you will find in the English language. This edition offers a new and lucid running commentary, with a freshly revised and updated text. Thus this volume is reflective of the changes that have occurred in the Roman Church (and in the Eastern Church also) since the edition set-forth in 1983. Preceding the text and commentary is helpful introductory material, one discussing the nature of Canon Law and Theology, another presenting an overview of the Canons from 1983-1999 and the last furnishes a brief compendium on the Canons of the Eastern Churches. Additionally, there are comprehensive introductions to each of the books and titles of the Canons, which elucidate the essential contents therein. It should also be mentioned that, along with the commentary, are copius annotations that add further insight and direct readers to further pertinent sources of reference. This edition is a definite recommendation for students and scholars of Canon Law, for priests and laymen, for parish libraries and for the home-libarary.
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Review Summary: While not perfect, it is a good reference book. |
Date: 2006-06-09 |
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Details: While some are accurate in describing subjective, agenda-like influence found in the commentary at different points, I believe that this volume is a overwhelmingly helpful reference tool for anyone involved in the Church. Any commentary is going to remain miles from objectivity since several individuals with their own histories and experiences composed it. That aside, I believe that the authors of this commentary have made an effort to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of each of the canons of the church.
I believe that this is an indispensable reference book that all clergy, civil attorneys and theologians should have on their shelf. It is a must-have book.
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Review Summary: Overall I find this a good commentary... |
Date: 2004-12-09 |
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Details: After reading the debate taking place between the other reviewers, I thought I would share my own feelings as a canon lawyer. Coincidentally, I happen to be friends with some of the reviewers on each side. This sorta summarizes how I feel about this commentary.
Overall, I find it quite useful. Its biggest strength, in my opinion, is the commentary on General Norms, which is the first book of the Code. (For non-canonists, the Code of Canon Law is divided into seven books -- aka major divisions) General Norms are the basic canonical principles that define key terms and determine how the law should be applied. While many find it the most boring book in the Code, it is nevertheless the most important. Thus it is essential to any any good commentary on the Code that its commentary on General Norms be solid. The commentary in this book is stellar and I consult it regularly.
Nevertheless, as others have noted, there are certain parts in this commentary, mainly in the book covering the Sacraments, that I would either question or disagree with. I would not say that any of the commentary is erroneous, but it does push the envelope on occasion.
But overall, it's a good resource and the commentary on General Norms, which is very readable without compromising depth, alone is worth the price. |
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Review Summary: Agenda proliferates instead of canonical comments |
Date: 2002-03-13 |
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Details: While the overall scholarship of the new commentary is impressive, there are some serious, significant and grave errors which compel me not to recommend this book. Instead of relying on sound jurisprudence, this edition degenerates with theological dissent, speculation and confusion. Book Three (the Teaching Office of the Church) is where it begins. The footnote on page 913 in reference to canon 749 on Infallibility attacks ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS when it says: "the statement by the CDF [Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith] of October 28, 1995, that the teaching to the effect that the Church has no authority to confer priestly ordination on women requires the definitive assent of the faithful since `it has been set forth infallibly by the ordinary and universal Magisterium' is an exaggeration" Classifying the authortative interpretation of the CDF on Ordinatio Sacerdotalis as being an 'exaggertion' is going well beyond the bounds of judicial commentary and now enters the realm of theological dissent. Cardinal Ratzinger's Responsum ad Dubium (10-28-95) made it clear that while Ordination Sacerdotalis itself was not an EX CATHEDRA statement (like the papal document MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS of Pius XII defining the dogma of the Assumption of Mary in 1950), nevertheless the TEACHING (doctrine) that only baptized males can be ordained (deacons, priests and bishops) IS infallible as it has been a consistent element of the ORDINARY MAGISTERIUM. "All members of the faithful are required to give their assent to the teaching stated therein." The Commentary continues in the footnote to attack the infallibility of the teaching when this is not a canonical issue, rather it is obviously doctrinal and the proper authority (CDF) has made a definitive ruling, not the CLSA. Canon 752, according to the new Commentary "leaves room for dissent." This is based on the mistranslation of OBSEQUIUM by the Commentary. Ironically, the translated text in the same book reads "religious SUBMISSION of intellect and will" must be given to the authentic Magisterium (as opposed to an ASSENT of faith required of infallible teachings) whereas the commentary below the translated text keeps translating OBSEQUIUM not as SUBMISSION but as "RESPECT" or "DEFERENCE". Austin Flannery, OP, had no problem using SUBMISSION for OBSEQUIUM when he translated LUMEN GENTIUM #25 upon which canon 752 is based. Another of many examples of an underlying agenda is shown in Book Four as well as Book Three. Canon 914 explicitly and unequivocally mandates First Penance BEFORE First Communion, yet the Commentary (p. 1110) suggests ""if the parents, who have the primary responsibility for the child's catechesis, should determine that their child is not yet ready for first penance but is ready for first communion, the child should not be denied the right to the sacrament." If that is not encouraging the faithful to oppose the law, what is it? Certainly not orthodox teaching or canonically licit behavior. All in all, it is sad that the good scholarship has to be eclipsed by the creeping heterodoxy and subtle dissent in major portions of the book. |
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out of 10 Reviews
