The Church's legal tradition seeks justice through the careful pursuit of truth, not through expedient decisions or popular opinion. This article explores why due process, the protection of rights, and a thorough examination of facts remain essential to sound ecclesiastical governance and the administration of justice within the Church.
"Where there is no malice there can be no offense.” - Sir Thomas More This basic principle of law (regula iuris) is found in canon 1321 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law (CIC). Its legal implication was strengthened in the recent revision of the Penal Code (Book VI of the CIC) promulgated by Pope Fr...
Sir Thomas More: You threaten like a dockside bully.Sir Thomas Cromwell: How should I threaten?Sir Thomas More: Like a minister of state, with justice!Sir Thomas Cromwell: Oh, justice is what you're threatened with.Sir Thomas More: Then I am not threatened. Sadly, this exchange still rings all t...
When the standard of proof during an ecclesiastical preliminary investigation is that "it could have happened", as occurs all too often, the "deepest sin against the human mind" is committed. Anyone can pull together the name of a priest, the time frame, and the place and lodge a complaint. Accor...
