The Catholic Legate

Canon Law is a rather unfamiliar field among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The Church is a civilization and because civilizations have laws, the Church has its own set of laws to govern it citizens. This page is dedicated to discussing issues related to canon law for the edification of our visitors. Canon Law specialists, Pete Vere, JCL, and Jason Morin (JCL candidate) offer their views on various canonical issues below.

CODE OF CANON LAW

Pete's book with fellow canonist, Michael Trueman, Surprised by Canon Law, is the watershed book of canon law for lay people. Answering 150 questions Catholics ask about canon law, Pete and Mike explores the mysterious and enigmatic world of canon law, bringing it down to a level that we can all understand. From time to time, all Catholics have them: nagging questions about church life, often prompted by some personal encounter or challenging situation: Is a layperson allowed to preach a homily? Is a pastor required to report to someone regarding parish finances, or is he on his own? It seems like the parish council is running your parish. Does it have the authority to do so? Must a child be baptized in a church, or may the baptism take place at home? Surprised by Canon Law tackles these and many other questions, all of which have been formally addressed by the Roman Catholic Church's Code of Canon Law.

Canon Law, Vatican II, and Eucharistic Devotion
Since Vatican II, many liberal and minimalist Catholics have tried to downplay Eucharistic devotion. Some theologians and canon lawyers have had the audacity to say that Eucharistic devotion has been suppressed by Vatican II and Canon Law. Some Bishops have even been swayed by this position and have actually suppressed such devotion in their dioceses! Staff Canonist Pete Vere discusses this issue and shows quite clearly that these opinions are erroneous and baseless. (Vere - 11KB - 04.02)

Show the Mothers Compassion: Excommunicate the Politicians
Staff Canonist, Pete Vere, discusses the canonical implications of excommunication and how it applies to the parties involved in abortion. Canonically, it is difficult to excommunicate a politician. But there are other equally effective and humiliating means for the Church to get the message across. (Vere - 11KB - 04.01)

Ex Corde Ecclesiae: A Brief Look At Its Canonical Implications
Staff Canon Lawyer, Pete Vere, helps University administrators reflect on the canonical implications of Pope John Paul II's consititution Ex Corde Ecclesiae. This document puts the legal clamp on dissent from Catholic teaching at our universities. Let's see if, in this century, the bishops have the courage to practice what Rome preaches. (Vere - 12KB - 04.01)

Canon Law and the Laity
Canonist Pete Vere offers this primer on Canon Law and the Catholic Church by discussing its foundation within the Church and its scope. He also gives us a brief glimpse into the professional life of a canon lawyer. (Vere - 16KB - 03.11)

The Gruner Chronicles

Fr. Gruner has been officially suspended by the Vatican, but it seems that he believes that his particular suspension is unjust and refuses to submit to his superiors. Of course, how many sad cases in the Church's history have not hosted similar pretenses as an excuse to disobey? Pete Vere sets the record straight, gives everybody a reality check on this situation, and explains how Fr. Gruner is hardly a persecuted martyr for Fatima.